The Procreative Powers of the Wind: a Study of the Concept of Wind Impregnation According to Graeco-Roman and Other Traditions

<p>The central topic of this thesis is the concept of wind impregnation (Motif T524 Conception from wind) as found in Greek and Roman thought and life. It is suggested that the concept exists in a variety of forms, distinguished by the six different animate beings with which the wind is linked, namely, mares, hens, tigers, vultures, sheep, and (mythical or legendary) women. The nature, development and transmission of these six traditions are discussed : it is demonstrated that all six traditions concerned persist beyond the fall of the Roman empire, with three continuing in existence until the seventeenth century; and that four out of the six traditions provide evidence of a concurrent oral tradition. In an effort to counteract the suggestion that the Graeco-Roman concept of wind impregnation is to be attributed to a lack of understanding of the prerequisites for procreation on the part of the ancients, the various theories of conception proposed by Greek and Roman scholars in the period from the early fifth century BC to the late second century AD are examined. This survey demonstrates that the ancients in fact took a considerable interest in, and had a detailed knowledge of the process of conception. The thesis concludes that there is no one explanation for the existence of the ancient concept, of wind impregnation; rather, it is to be attributed to the combination of a number of factors, most notably, the nature of the individual winds, and ancient attitudes towards them; the ancient connection of wind and soul; the nature of the animals with which the wind is linked, and the associations of those winds for the ancients.</p>

The Procreative Powers of the Wind: a Study of the Concept of Wind Impregnation According to Graeco-Roman and Other Traditions

<p>The central topic of this thesis is the concept of wind impregnation (Motif T524 Conception from wind) as found in Greek and Roman thought and life. It is suggested that the concept exists in a variety of forms, distinguished by the six different animate beings with which the wind is linked, namely, mares, hens, tigers, vultures, sheep, and (mythical or legendary) women. The nature, development and transmission of these six traditions are discussed : it is demonstrated that all six traditions concerned persist beyond the fall of the Roman empire, with three continuing in existence until the seventeenth century; and that four out of the six traditions provide evidence of a concurrent oral tradition. In an effort to counteract the suggestion that the Graeco-Roman concept of wind impregnation is to be attributed to a lack of understanding of the prerequisites for procreation on the part of the ancients, the various theories of conception proposed by Greek and Roman scholars in the period from the early fifth century BC to the late second century AD are examined. This survey demonstrates that the ancients in fact took a considerable interest in, and had a detailed knowledge of the process of conception. The thesis concludes that there is no one explanation for the existence of the ancient concept, of wind impregnation; rather, it is to be attributed to the combination of a number of factors, most notably, the nature of the individual winds, and ancient attitudes towards them; the ancient connection of wind and soul; the nature of the animals with which the wind is linked, and the associations of those winds for the ancients.</p>

The Procreative Powers of the Wind: a Study of the Concept of Wind Impregnation According to Graeco-Roman and Other Traditions

<p>The central topic of this thesis is the concept of wind impregnation (Motif T524 Conception from wind) as found in Greek and Roman thought and life. It is suggested that the concept exists in a variety of forms, distinguished by the six different animate beings with which the wind is linked, namely, mares, hens, tigers, vultures, sheep, and (mythical or legendary) women. The nature, development and transmission of these six traditions are discussed : it is demonstrated that all six traditions concerned persist beyond the fall of the Roman empire, with three continuing in existence until the seventeenth century; and that four out of the six traditions provide evidence of a concurrent oral tradition. In an effort to counteract the suggestion that the Graeco-Roman concept of wind impregnation is to be attributed to a lack of understanding of the prerequisites for procreation on the part of the ancients, the various theories of conception proposed by Greek and Roman scholars in the period from the early fifth century BC to the late second century AD are examined. This survey demonstrates that the ancients in fact took a considerable interest in, and had a detailed knowledge of the process of conception. The thesis concludes that there is no one explanation for the existence of the ancient concept, of wind impregnation; rather, it is to be attributed to the combination of a number of factors, most notably, the nature of the individual winds, and ancient attitudes towards them; the ancient connection of wind and soul; the nature of the animals with which the wind is linked, and the associations of those winds for the ancients.</p>

The Procreative Powers of the Wind: a Study of the Concept of Wind Impregnation According to Graeco-Roman and Other Traditions

<p>The central topic of this thesis is the concept of wind impregnation (Motif T524 Conception from wind) as found in Greek and Roman thought and life. It is suggested that the concept exists in a variety of forms, distinguished by the six different animate beings with which the wind is linked, namely, mares, hens, tigers, vultures, sheep, and (mythical or legendary) women. The nature, development and transmission of these six traditions are discussed : it is demonstrated that all six traditions concerned persist beyond the fall of the Roman empire, with three continuing in existence until the seventeenth century; and that four out of the six traditions provide evidence of a concurrent oral tradition. In an effort to counteract the suggestion that the Graeco-Roman concept of wind impregnation is to be attributed to a lack of understanding of the prerequisites for procreation on the part of the ancients, the various theories of conception proposed by Greek and Roman scholars in the period from the early fifth century BC to the late second century AD are examined. This survey demonstrates that the ancients in fact took a considerable interest in, and had a detailed knowledge of the process of conception. The thesis concludes that there is no one explanation for the existence of the ancient concept, of wind impregnation; rather, it is to be attributed to the combination of a number of factors, most notably, the nature of the individual winds, and ancient attitudes towards them; the ancient connection of wind and soul; the nature of the animals with which the wind is linked, and the associations of those winds for the ancients.</p>

Species as a system within a system

The article presents the results of an analytical review of general laws of nature development and their relationships with the laws of biological evolution in terms of general theory of systems and their synergetic manifestation at different levels of organization. The basis of such analysis is the interpretation of the species as a system, as a structure with self-organizing and complicating abilities, as well as a unit of evolutionary diversity and taxonomy. At the same time, as a system, the species occupies an appropriate position in system subordination, in the hierarchy of biological evolution, and in systems of taxonomic division and phylogeny. Its synergistic connections in the system characterize its complexity, functionality, self-organization, and alternative development, which is manifested through saltation, relative balance and constant absorption of energy to organize chaos as a source of order. These characteristics accompany the non-integrated development of biological systems as open and unbalanced by intraspecific polymorphism. Analytical delineation of the species as a system within a system involves defining it as a structure, an element, and a carrier of properties and functions at different organizational (ontogenetic, biocoenotic, and evolutionary) levels of biological systems.

The Historical Rawls: Introduction

John Rawls (1921–2002) and his work are now squarely a subject for history. In the more than fifteen years since his death, a rich body of scholarship has emerged which attempts, in different ways, to understand the nature, development, and impact of Rawls's thought from a variety of historical perspectives. With 2021 marking fifty years since A Theory of Justice (1971) was first published, this special forum examines what we here call the “historical Rawls.”

Features of the organisation of theatrical activities among rural schoolchildren

The definition is given, upbringing possibilities of theatre activities are identified; their main form is children's association. Theatre association is seen as an upbringing environment where pedagogues and children solve a set of tasks of children’s upbringing and socialising in the process of theatrical activity. Particular attention is paid to the fact that, when organising theatrical activities, one should take into account the peculiarities of the region, the societas and the specifics of rural school. Rural school often assumes the functions of additional education for children and adults; it is the centre of cultural and leisure activities for the whole population. Problems when organising theatre activities for rural children are considered; it is also noted that setting up a theatre group in a school helps to overcome the socialisation difficulties of rural children. A number of favourable factors, positively influencing the organisation and development of children’s theatrical activity, their socialisation, include close ties of school and societas, closeness of children to nature, development of interaction of children with parents, with fellow villagers, rural spiritual and moral environment, development of integrative connections. It is noted that theatrical activity in a number of rural schools is a system-forming one, i.e. it unites the activities of all actors, it contributes to the integration of general education and additional education of rural schoolchildren. Peculiarities of the content, forms, methods and technologies that can be used when organising theatrical activity of rural schoolchildren are considered.

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BIOSPHERE AS A KEY TO SOLVE ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS (TO THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF A.N. TYURYUKANOV)

Anatolij Nikiforovich Tyuryukanov (1931-2001), Dr.Sci (Biol.), professor was a remarkable Russian natural scientist, who made a signifi contribution to soil science and the theory of the biosphere. Investigation of Tyuryukanov’s works shows both evolution of the author’s scientifi interests and development of natural history in Russia in 20th century. He formulated the biosphere natural history principle founded on a new fundamental category of sciences foundation in 20th century. Th principle is based on genetic soil science, biogeocenology, landscape geochemistry and main branches of the Earth biosphere and vitasphere study. Interesting and sometimes unexpected assertions of A.N. Tyuryukanovs provide food for thought about both further studies of nature, development of biosphere study and refl on the human and biosphere relationships.

Development, upbringing and socialization of personality

In order for a person to become an individual as a social being, the conditions and upbringing of the social environment are necessary. As a result of this, a person develops as a person and becomes an individual. The development of a child's personality is based on the philosophical teaching that man is a social being. At the same time, man is a living, biological being. Consequently, the laws of nature development are also important in its development. Also, when a person is assessed as a whole, his or her development is influenced by biological and social laws that cannot be separated from each other.