ROLE OF WAR IN SOCIAL LIFE. PART I - WAR IN PRE-MODERN HISTORICAL THOUGHT

2012 ◽  
Vol 164 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-205
Author(s):  
Janusz ŚWINIARSKI ◽  
Marian MARCINKOWSKI

At the beginning the authors present two opposing trends related to the understanding of the nature and the role of war in society: first, that these phenomena are embedded in the nature of human beings and humanity (which means that without war there is no human being, culture and civilization, its life, society or state, so war is natural and necessary for life); second, war is not embedded in human nature, is a distortion in community life and relations between people; this means that if wars occur, they show the degradation of human beings and society. These trends are observed in the eternal debate on war and the authors show numerous examples in which war is perceived in this way.

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-84
Author(s):  
Ana Honnacker

Humanism is charged with fostering a harmful anthropocentrism that has led to the exploitation of non-human beings and the environment. Posthumanist and transhumanist ideas prominently aim at rethinking our self-understanding and human-nature relations. Yet these approaches turn out to be flawed when it comes to addressing the challenges of the “age of the humanity”, the Anthropocene. Whereas posthumanism fails in acknowledging the exceptional role of human beings with regard to political agency and responsibility, transhumanism overemphasizes human capabilities of controlling nature and only deepens the human-nature dualism. Therefore, a critical and humble version of humanism is suggested as a viable alternative. Drawing on pragmatist thinkers William James and F.C.S. Schiller, a resource for de-centering the human being is provided that critically reflects our role in the larger ecosystem and underlines human potentials as well as human responsibilities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
I Gusti Ayu Oka Silantari ◽  
I Ketut Mardika

<p><em>In human nature, apart from being individual beings as well as social beings who have their own culture. Culture arises in humans due to reason and thought in the human being itself. Humans will be able to live perfectly when they live together with other humans, in relation to other humans, certain norms or rules are needed. In the regulation, one of them was written about the procedure for honoring guests called Athiti Krama. Athiti Krama gives motivation in human life because through this human being can foster good relations between humans one with other human beings in harmony. The implementation of Athiti Krama can be found in societies everywhere in the world, both in the advanced society and the people who are still modest in their civilization.<br /> In social life, everyone should behave well so as to create happiness for themselves and the community, because in the teachings of Hinduism, Athiti Krama teachings are basically contained which can bring people to achieve harmony in social order in society. The basis of Athiti Krama's teachings is the ethics or morality that many of the Vedic scriptures have mentioned, one of which is Tri Kaya Parisudha. Considering the importance of Athiti Krama as a social guide in people's lives. So it should be known to be applied in the learning process in Pasraman Dharma Bhakti.</em><strong><em></em></strong></p>


Author(s):  
Tonio Hölscher

Regarding the role of images in social life, three fundamental categories are to be distinguished: representation, decor, and objects of discourses. Representation was a major aim, because ancient societies consisted not only of their living members but also of two other social groups, their dead ancestors and their gods and heroes. Community life developed in interactions, through rituals and other cultural practices, between these social partners, of which those that were, in fact, absent could be made present by images within the society’s living spaces. Specific groups of images, such as cult statues, votive images, athletes’ statues, and honorary portraits, had their specific places, in sanctuaries, public spaces, and necropolises, where they were dealt with according to specific rules of “living with images.”


Author(s):  
Brad Inwood

Ethics is the part of the Stoics’ legacy that is most prominent and influential today. Their theory of the good life for human beings falls into the family of theories associated with Socrates and his followers. This tradition includes Plato and most Platonists, Xenophon, the Cynics, Aristotle, and later Aristotelians, all of whom share the view that virtue, the excellence of a human being, is the highest value and is its own reward. ‘Ethics’ discusses the Stoics’ views on human nature and rationality; the four basic virtues: justice, courage, wisdom, and moderation or self-control; and the doctrine that the fully rational and wise person will be free of passions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-412
Author(s):  
Krešimir Cerovac

There are many reasons why a partnership dialogue between theology (religion) and the natural sciences is needed. However, first and foremost this must be a conversation between one human being and another regarding the most important of human interests. The most effective way to approach complex issues and problems in the dialogue between theology and science is the transdisciplinary approach. Transdisciplinarity can solve prob lems which cannot be resolved by separate attempts. This approach can connect different modes of thought, that is, thought beginning with different points of view on the material world or religion. The transdisciplinary approach takes on the role of mediator, which demands at the “round table” that which unites human beings on a universal human level. This is a new, challenging and demanding approach which requires researchers to leave their own field of interest and strive to learn about other fields. The transdisciplinary approach, as “critical rationality” and a new way of thinking, opposed to classical and reductive rationalism, emphasizing objectivity, is based on controlled conflict–induced paradoxes. Transdisciplinarity creates a new quality — which is not an arithmetic sum of individual disciplines — and enables articulation, i.e. a link between two, at first glance, controversial disciplinary modes of thought.


Early China ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 113-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Rakita Goldin

This article discusses the several previously unknown Confucian texts discovered in 1993 in a Warring States tomb at Guodian, near Jingmen, Hubei Province. I believe that these works should be understood as doctrinal material deriving from a single tradition of Confucianism and datable to around 300 B.C. Of the surviving literature from the same period, they are closer to the Xunzi than to any other text, and anticipate several characteristic themes in Xunzi's philosophy. These are: the notion of human nature (xing 性),and the controversy over whether the source of morality is internar or “external”; the role of learning (xue 學)and habitual practice (xi 習) in moral development; the content and origin of ritual (li 禮), by which human beings accord with the Way; the conception of the ruler as the mind (xin 心) of the state; and the psychological utility of music (yue 樂) in inculcating proper values.It is especially important for scholars to take note of these connections with Xunzi, in view of the emerging trend to associate the Guodian manuscripts with Zisi, the famous grandson of Confucius, whom Xunzi bitterly criticized.


2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (16) ◽  
pp. 117-128
Author(s):  
Justyna Melonowska

The ancient, Greek concept of upbringing, paideiia, was oriented towards full mental development of a person on one hand and – on the other – on affirming in such a way given community of political as well as civilizational purposes. Questions about its essence and significance reappear nowadays in the context of disputes on education. Two main currents are usually indicated in contemporary philosophy of upbringing: axiocentrism and paidocentrism. The first in the center of all pedagogical efforts situates community and the system of values that this community recognizes. The child is to be introduced in this axiology. Such approach may be considered traditionalist and conservative. The second current is child-centred and focused on all form of self-expression the child desires. This approach is considered as related to liberal-emancipation direction in social life. Despite all the differences between those approaches, designed didactical process is in both of them the result of a holistic thinking about human being and the philosophy of upbringing is the result of a specific philosophy of a human. In the article I tend to show this descending character od philosophical approach to upbringing, ergo how the concept of human nature as good, bad or ambivalent going through subsequent degrees of theoretical systematization end up responding to particular and detailed issues, such as physical punishments. My goal is to make comprehensible especially the traditional, conservative philosophy of upbringing (axiocentrism).


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-149
Author(s):  
Gerald Filson

Human beings are conceptual in ways unique to our species, different in kind from animal rationality. Our conceptual capacity goes beyond the cognitive and shapes our emotions, our moral and spiritual capabilities and our perception of the world. That conceptual capacity is formed by culture and language where language plays a central role in how we experience the world. The role of language, especially spiritual or religious language, can inform our perception of the world in ways that represent genuine ‘spiritual perception’ of the material, social and spiritual dimensions of reality. Human beings’ conceptual capabilities are fallible, even in how we use perception as a capacity for knowing the world. Conditions in modernity have increased our vulnerability to fallibility. Consequently, collective exercise of our conceptual capacities in deliberation and coordinated assessments of reality are more necessary than ever. Science and religion are influential models of how collective deliberation, or consultation, enhances our conceptual capabilities and the ways in which perception takes in a world that is both material and spiritual.


2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Gassmann

AbstractThinkers in the Zhànguó period of Chinese history debated intensely whether men were by nature “good” or “bad”. This debate has for many years been an important focus of sinological interest, but usually these properties were not attributed to men, but rather to so-called “human nature” (xìng 性) – thus, in effect, mirroring well-known (and problematic) “European” positions and discussions. The aim of this paper is, on the one hand, to redirect attention to the original Zhànguó positions and to explore the reasons for their variance by offering novel and close historical readings of relevant passages, and on the other, to propose a viable historical reconstruction of the common anthropological assumptions underlying these positions by blending it with the traces of a dominant cognitive image present in the texts. This calls for a systematic rethinking of the role of hearts (in the plural), desires, and behavioural patterns in their interplay and as elements of a concept of the psychological build of human beings current in early China.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
I Wayan Sunampan Putra

<em><span lang="IN">Harmony in religious life is an important phenomenon to note. Considering that several different religions have developed in Indonesia, it is necessary to apply the teachings of harmony theology. Community life under religious pluralism is not always harmonious. In daily life, several cases of disharmony of religious communities often occur. This disharmony occurs because of the lack of tolerance between religious people with one another. To bring back the attitude of tolerance, one needs to explore religious teachings. Thus, there is no longer a nerrow mind against Hindus. The theology of harmony in the Hindu perspective in this case seeks to provide teachings about the unity of mankind. </span><span lang="EN">In the Hindu perspective of harmony theology, every human being should respect his fellow human beings because they come from the same source, namely God. Harmony is a religious obligation and obedience to God, it is also a cultural guideline and customs. The synergy between the two has always greatly influenced people's perspectives and attitudes regarding various matters, including efforts to create a harmonious life in the midst of plurality.</span><span lang="EN"> </span></em>


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