Embodied Reflection of Images as an Arts-Based Research Method: Teaching Experiment in Higher Education

This paper discusses a teaching experiment in which 20 university students in Finland participated in the course Critical and Novel Approaches to Management and Organisational Studies, which familiarized them with the method of embodied reflection of images. First, the paper presents the method and the teaching experiment. Then, it presents and discusses the students’ experiences while experimenting with the method. The students’ written reflections form the data of the study, which were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis. The findings of this small-scale study show that the method of embodied reflection of images provided students with a novel perspective into management and organization, fostered collaboration, and promoted critical thinking. In addition, rational knowledge was furnished with experiential and affective modes of knowledge. Based on students’ positive feedback, the experiment succeeded in elucidating the method and its applicability in research on management and organization. This study promotes teaching arts-based research methods in higher education.

The Epistemology of Medieval Islamic Education:Historical Portraits of the Abbasid Dynasty During Caliph Harun Ar-Rashid

This research is focusing on the epistemological pattern of Islamic education during the Abbasid dynasty, especially during the Caliph Harun ar-Rashid. This study is library research using a historical approach. The research findings indicate that the background influencing the development of educational epistemology during the Abbasid dynasty, especially during the Caliph Harun is the translation movement, the construction of Bait al-Hikmah, the high number of Islamic educational institutions such as kuttab / maktab, low education in the palace, procurement of bookstores, the existence of Knowledge Convention, optimizing the function of mosques, madrasas for the public, and providing houses for ulema. More, the existence of scientists around the Caliph Harun promoted the progress of science, civilization, and Islamic education. In addition, the advance of political stability and economic circumstances during the Caliph Harun had also made scientific activity, Islamic education, and knowledge development becomes maximum. Moreover, Islamic education epistemology during the Caliph Harun can be mapped into three major streams of the underlying theory of knowledge, first, rational knowledge; second, sensory knowledge; and third, knowledge of Kasyaf through revelation or intuition. Several forms of knowledge developed from the epistemological style of Islamic education include the science of interpretation, the science of hadith, the science of kalam, the science of language, and the science of Tasawuf. Epistemology of Islamic education spawned many methods for scientific study such as nadzr, tadabur, tafakur, bayyinah, burhan, mulahzah, tajrib, istiqra, qiyas, tamsil, ta'wil, dzati, HISSI, khayali, aqli, syibhi, and more.

Sacred components of hunting and fishing technologies of the indigenous peoples of the Amur-Sakhalin Region

The article, by means of the comparative-historical method, critical analysis of scholarly concepts, and use of ethnographic materials, deals with the study of the complex of beliefs and rituals of indigenous peoples of the Russian Far East (Nanais, Negidals, Nivkhs, Orochs, Udeges, Uilta, Ulchs, and Evenks) as a sacred component of their traditional and modern hunting and fishing technologies. The term ‘technology’ originates from the Ancient Greek philosophy by the development of the doctrine of ‘techne’ as an art by which things are made. Technology is based on notion and supersedes the role of the chance in human life and activities, which expedites the proc-ess of adaptation to the nature. The ritual preceding production of a tool or a vehicle is performed to improve qual-ity of the item to ensure its more productive use in hunting and fishing. In the culture of indigenous peoples of the Russian Far East, there are known examples of invocation of magic, cults, beliefs, and rituals to secure hunter’s luck in fabrication of hunter carriers, tools for hunting marine and terrestrial animals, and traps. Beliefs and rituals serve as the sacred components of the hunting and fishing technologies, which have the utmost importance for sustainable life of the indigenous population. The main conclusion is that, in spite of some differences in the economy, degree of settlement and mobility, and the level of influence of nonethnic cultures, undoubtedly, the results of hunting, fishing, off-shore seal catching, deer breeding, and foraging depend on personal experience, rational knowledge of the qualities of plants, weather signs, and migration times and habits of animals, and on the quality of the trade equipment, transport, clothes and footwear. However, these aspects are not sufficient and the hunters resort to the sacral components of the hunting and fishing technologies — transport means are ‘enli-vened’, by magic means they are imparted with the qualities of living beings — people or animals. With the help of amulets, the hunters strengthen their trade qualities — agility, perception-reaction time, and intuition. Prohibitions are observed, which are aimed at decreasing dependence on chance and increasing hunting productivity. The rational technologies, aimed at the survivance of the ethnos, are complemented by the sacred components, so that people cling to the help of supernatural powers.

Menjadi Bahagia di Jalan Dao (道): Kebahagiaan Sejati menurut Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi, 莊子)

In the last decade, scientists in almost all disciplines often elaborate happiness using interdisciplinary approaches, metodologies, and measurements, both quantitative and qualitative. Beside scientific approaches, one can also explore this topic from the viewpoint of speculative and phenomenological thinking. This viewpoint describes the experiences of happiness by realising empirical and rational knowledge as well as esoteric consciousness of reality as such. It is Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi), whose thoughts elaborate cognitive and intuitive sides of human mind, who offers a philosophy in order to bring forward an awareness of reality as itself. Chuang Tzu argues for a realisation of conjunction of both cognitive and intuitive capabilities of human mind, as well as its rational and mystical sides. The realisation of both natural capabilities brings about conditions for modern people’s experience of happiness.

Immanent Transcendence in Western and Chinese Philosoph

The interest towards immanent reality indicates one of the most important land­marks in the modern history of philosophy. This turn presents a major challenge to philosophical reflection. It is practically impossible to discern immanence in its pure form and it is often suspected that in conjunction with transcendence it generates various forms of totalitarianism. Chinese philosophy provides a sys­tematic and viable concept of immanence grounded in auto-affect of life and its creative potential. It transcends both empirical experience and thought but is ac­cessible not through rational knowledge but by means of “self-abandonment” as an act of moral cultivation and spiritual enlightenment, essentially transindivid­ual. The author explores various aspects of immanence in Chinese thinking as well as its effects in Chinese culture, in particular the concepts of freedom and creativity. He claims, that the turn towards immanence is essential for the growth of truly global philosophy.

Comparative Analysis of the Communication in Western and Eastern Culture

This chapter argues for peculiarities of intercultural communication with such a closed society as Iran. It starts from an interesting and comprehensive analysis of what is regarded to be ‘intercultural communication' that is crucial important for the touristic sphere. To narrate the phenomenon on the intercultural communication within Iran, this chapter aims to reveal that though communication process within the Iranian society is based upon the tradition and religion, the country is tolerant and friendly to the foreigners. The necessity is for the people who visit the country to understand the difference between the Eastern and Western cultures and traditions. The communication in the Eastern society is based on the ancient customs and foundations, but the communication in the Western society is characterized by technological and rational knowledge of the world. Finally, this chapter attempts to propose a new understanding of communicational process in Iran, which will create possibilities for mutual understanding and cooperation with this country.

Prinsip Epistemologi Makrifat dalam Tasawuf Bagi Penguatan Karakter

<p><em>This paper elaborates the concept of knowledge according to the Sufis through the concept of makrifat, which is hierarchically achieved through a process of soul purification (</em>tazkiyah al-nafs<em>). From this process is born awareness of the oneness of Allah, the Most Absolute, which involves the potential of the senses and reason. The research in this article uses the literature study method of Sufism written by Sufis, especially when discussing the subject of makrifat. Such as the works of </em>Rasâil al-Junaid<em> by Al-Junaid al-Baghdadi, </em>Ihya 'Ulum al-Din<em> by Abu Hâmid al-Ghazali, and </em>Kitab al-Zuhud<em> by Ahmad bin Hanbal. The results showed that there are epistemological principles in the science of Sufism (</em>makrifat<em>) that can lead to the acquisition of rational knowledge that is integrated with righteous deeds and the formation of character. These epistemological principles are in the form of liberation of ego, superego, and lust, principles of piety and sincerity, principles of faith that guarantee the functionalization of reason, and principles of revelation that ratify empirical, rational, and intuitive knowledge. These epistemological principles are seen as relevant for the creation of character education and complete human action.</em></p><p> </p><p>Tulisan ini mengelaborasi konsep pengetahuan menurut para sufi melalui konsep makrifat, yang secara hirarkis dicapai melalui proses penyucian jiwa <em>(tazkiyah al-nafs)</em>.<em> </em>Dari<em> </em>proses<em> </em>ini<em> </em>lahirlah kesadaran akan keesaan Allah Yang Maha Absolut yang melibatkan potensi inderawi dan rasio. Penelitian dalam artikel ini menggunakan metode studi kepustakaan atas karya-karya tasawuf yang ditulis oleh para sufi, khususnya ketika membahas perihal makrifat. Seperti karya <em>Rasâil al-Junaid </em>oleh Al-Junaid al-Baghdadi<em>, Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din </em>oleh Abu Hâmid al-Ghazali, dan <em>Kitab al-Zuhud </em>oleh Ahmad bin Hanbal. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat prinsip-prinsip epistemologi dalam ilmu tasawuf (makrifat) yang dapat mengantarkan kepada perolehan pengetahuan rasional yang terintegrasi dengan amal saleh dan terbentuknya karakter. Prinsip-prinsip epistemologis tersebut berupa pembebasan ego, super ego dan hawa nafsu, prinsip kesalehan dan kesungguhan, prinsip iman yang menjamin fungsionalisasi akal, serta prinsip kewahyuan yang meratifikasi pengetahuan empiris, rasional dan intuitif. Prinsip-prinsip epistemologis ini dipandang relevan bagi terciptanya pendidikan berkarakter dan tindakan paripurna manusia.</p>

Combining love and knowledge to heal the ocean

Despite decades of management and conservation efforts, we have seen only limited success in rebuilding marine life and restoring ocean ecosystems from human-inflicted damage on a global scale. I suggest that we need to harness both our emotional (love) and rational (knowledge) sides to create a more powerful movement to heal the ocean and rebuild its abundance and diversity. Love and compassion fuel our desire and urge for change and provide a compass that can guide our actions. Science and knowledge provide ways for collecting and interpreting data and information that can enhance our understanding and support our decisions and actions. Combining our emotional and rational sides can inspire our thinking and transform our actions in new, creative ways. In order to affect wide-ranging and long-lasting change, love and knowledge need to work together to transform our collective relationship with the ocean.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and Today’s Challenges of a New Wall Constructing: Basees’ Reflection

The conference of the British Association of Slavic and Eastern European Studies (BASEES) in 2019 was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the event that marked democracy triumph and liberation of communist authoritarianism. The focus was made on the factors of this victory, in particular on the role played in it by intellectuals of that time. The problem of scholars’ public activity was brought to the forefront by the thesis that achievements of science and education are not only theoretical developments and their successful assimilation in the form of knowledge, but also the level of influence science and education have in the society. Transition from instrumental rationality to rationality of values enhances practical importance of intellectual activity. Addressing this issue is particularly important in the context of crisis in the values ​​of liberal democracy and increasing distrust of rational knowledge and culture. Modern technologies of manipulating consciousness contribute to the strengthening of authoritarian regimes. Therefore, the experience of intellectuals under communist authoritarianism must teach contemporary scholars to uphold the values ​​of freedom and democracy and maintain social optimism. The discussion on the fall of the Berlin Wall proved that the scholars’ civic and academic positions reinforce each other, thereby forming a powerful defence against authoritarianism. However, the reincarnation of authoritarian sentiment nowadays provides grounds for accusing intellectuals of their inability to face up the challenges of the present. Among those challenges, we should mention forgetting the horribleness of old walls and illusions on benefits of constructing new ones.