Difference of Conventional Constructivism and Critical Constructivism Approach in International Relations Theory

<p><em>This paper argues that Constructivism as the approach in International Relations are still debat</em><em>ed</em><em>. The debate is on Conventional (modern) and Critical (post-modern) constructivsm. Although both are claimed as critical approach (s</em><em>imilar</em><em> in the</em><em>ir</em><em> epistemological aspect) and emerged in the same context and same culture of school in IR, they are different in adopting the methodological aspect. It may cause</em><em>d</em><em> by the constructivist itself grow along the growing of critical studies and the legacy of IR’s behavoralism</em><em> which</em><em> still remains dominantly</em><em>. Thus, it</em><em> makes one constructivist hold on to reflectivism too much and another constructivist engaged to positivism in order to prove that constructivism is scientific enough</em><em> </em><em>theoretically. Outlining the historical background both context and academic text, this paper analyze this issue in a path.</em></p>

The epistemological essence of the production process as a design object

Aim of the work. The main aim of the analysis is to search for approaches to building an exhaustive epistemological model of the production process as a set of connections to be disclosed and implemented in the automated production, which is a complex anthropotechnical cyberphysical system. Research methods. Digitalization of production inherently involves the solution of three major tasks: digitalizing communications, forming digital models of various objects, developing digital “tools” for decision support. Solving these tasks requires understanding of the deep essence and laws of such a complex system as a production process. This allows looking at the production process as a single interconnected structure (system) of its elements, where ignoring them often leads to a significant decrease in the quality of the design and technological decisions taken and, as a consequence, unjustified costs of various types of resources or non-fulfilment of the set requirements for the manufactured products (item). The interdependence of the objects of the production process allows speaking about the production process connections. Research results and novelty. To ensure the quality of the design and technological decisions taken during the production process digitalization, the former is represented as a system of links that have an “elementary” level of generalization in form and the maximum level of generalization in content. This allows representing the production process as a meaningful set of transition functions to be implemented. Findings. For the purposes of analyzing and building digital production, as a most complex anthropotechnical cyber-physical system, it is advisable to represent the production process in the form of a system of connections, while it should be considered that: 1. The manufactured product in the general case is a combination of three types of relations: dimensional, substantial and economic. 2. To ensure the item connections, a production process must be implemented, which in the general case represents a system of five types of connections: dimensional, informational, temporary, substantial and economic ones. 3. The interdependence of the links between the item and the production process is revealed through the transition functions, which are heterogeneous and indefinite. In addition, when creating a production process and automating it, designers have to face two major challenges: the choice of relations and their organization. Both are fraught with great engineering difficulties. 4. Representing the production process and the finished product in the category of connections is an important epistemological aspect of modelling and understanding the process itself, which allows highlighting and concentrating efforts on its important and essential aspects. At the early stages of design all this already helps to reduce possible errors arising from an incomplete and / or inappropriate representation of the nature and features of this process and, as a consequence, is a certain guarantee of achieving the gradual goal while reducing the necessary costs.

The Charnegroes: Black Africans and the Ontological Conflict in Catalonia

This paper frames an in depth reflection on the current social and political changes and the emerging phenomenon of body politics of migrant and racialized groups in Europe. The ongoing discussion aims to address the meaning of “being” Catalan for Black Africans in Catalonia. It is grounded on a criterion of ontological commitment and the epistemological aspect of ethnography. I dig into the debate about what makes a racial identity salient in the context of national identity rhetoric. I look thoroughly at the outcomes of the encounter between Black African migrants and the constant resignification of Catalan national identity. I aim to disentangle the racial premises and tackle what Black Africans share once the racial questions are removed. My approach stands within the growing field of postcolonial criticism to understand historical continuities and ontological conflicts. I focus on culture, race, and identity to analyze the cultural dynamics of Senegalese migrants and Equatoguinean communities within the national identity building process in Catalonia. I coined a new concept, Charnegroes, to propose a practical explanation of the emergence of body politics and the changing reality of the relationship between the “us” and the “other” under the recurrent transitions between old and new, colonial and postcolonial, the past and the future.

Status of the cartographic model

The author presents the proposal for a map as a model based on the current concepts in the philosophy of science. It is the attempt to define a map within the general theory of the model – in its ontological, semantical, and epistemological aspect. Treating a map as a model of reality boils down to specifying several characteristics determining its character. The article primarily aims at broadening the discussion on what a map is and what defines it as a model of reality. A new definition has been proposed in effect of the deliberations based on the analysis of models’ typology in the sphere of philosophy.

Truth in Language: Textual Data Analysis

The article presents Lithuanian linguistic cultural image of truth reconstructed from textual data. Textual data consists of contemporary and archaic (folklore and paremia) texts. The picture of truth distinguished from the textual data is highly philosophical, what proves the opinion that language is the reflection of a nation’s philosophy and worldview. Contemporary Lithuanian language reflects two main semantic aspects of truth: absolutism and relativism. Absolutism views truth as eternal and unique, forming the background of peoples’ lives. This type of truth usually has its source in religion. Subjectivism views truth as subjective and relative, depending on time, circumstances and opinions. The boundary between subjective truth and lie is very vague. This type of truth is never unique and has a pragmatic aspect which is either collective or individual. However, the dialogue of different sides is very important as it can help to achieve the final, objective truth. Epistemological aspect of truth is also salient. Two main aspects concerning truth cognition are scepticism and dogmatism. Cognition and knowledge is seen as the way to achieve the truth; however, sceptical question is raised whether truth cognition is possible at all. Dogmatism accepts certain facts or dogmas as naturally true. Truth is usually presented as unpleasant, painful, dangerous and unclear; however, it is highly important. Textual data also reflect a lot of opposites of truth: lie, unknown, myth, bluff, artificiality, half-truth, benefit.

RELIGION AND SOCIETY: GENEALOGICAL ASPECT

An article entitled “Religion and Society: An Epistemological Aspect” is devoted to the problem of religion, which has always been of vital importance to society, which is always on the agenda. In particular, it is devoted to the analysis of theoretical and methodological aspects of religion, the study of the conclusions of famous scientists who studied the phenomenon of religion. Religious definitions and religious beliefs in various scientific fields, including historical, evolutionary, psychological, functional, etc. Having studied the theory, laid the foundation for the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each conclusion.

Cognitive Activity of the Judge: Epistemological, Moral and Psychological Aspects

The article is devoted to the analysis of one of the activities of the judge – his cognitive activity. Three main components of this type of activity are considered: epistemological, moral and psychological. In the analysis of the epistemological aspect of the cognitive activity of the judge, attention is paid to the justification of the need to achieve the truth during the judicial investigation. The author reveals the reason why there is no common opinion on this issue among lawyers. Moral qualities of the judge necessary for ensuring high quality of cognitive activity of the judge are analyzed. A number of psychological features of cognitive activity inherent in justice activity is revealed.

The differences of midialogy’s communication

This study aims to analyze the differences between media and medialogy to reach the matrices that are writing a new epistemology of communication. The study of medialogy contemplates investigative views based on the characteristics of Western civilizations developed amid communicative practices of administrative utilitarian use until taking on another investigative aspect within the contemporary and under the influence of digital media. This media is rooted in the observation of political dimensions of communication that reach greater complexity and demand in their investigative paths, presenting another epistemological aspect, which, through dialogue, overcomes the linearity of communication as a scientific area that is more persuasive than social.

Luchas de auto-afirmación disciplinar en la universidad francesa de la Tercera República: el debate Simiand-Seignobos

En este artículo revisaremos el clásico debate que enfrentó a Simiand y Seignobos en la primera década del siglo XX. Por lo general, la imagen oficial del asunto retiene sólo el aspecto epistemológico de la disputa. Se recuerda a esta última por la crítica de Simiand a los determinismos implícitos (ídolo político, individual, cronológico) en el método de los historiadores. Lo que se propone, sin embargo, en este texto es un cambio de mirada en la comprensión de esta disputa intelectual. Lejos de agotar el interés en la confrontación sobre las prácticas científicas normales, se procederá a insertar la disputa en el marco de una lucha más amplia que opone dos candidaturas (sociología e historia) a la hegemonía de las ciencias humanas de la universidad francesa. Para ello es preciso analizar qué margen de cobertura institucional detentaba en ese momento la disciplina histórica y la sociología en el marco de la enseñanza superior republicana. Por último, se reflexiona sobre la falta de simetría que caracterizó a la relación entre ambas disciplinas, para concluir que tal disparidad quizá sea la causa del semifracaso del ataque durkheimiano frente a los historiadores. In this article we will review the classic(well-known/traditional) debate faced by Simiand and Seignobos in the first decade of the 20th century. Generally, the epistemological aspect of the dispute is considered the main matter at stake. The debate is usually remembered due to Simiand’s critique on the implicit determinisms (political, individual, chronological idol) in the historians’s method. Nevertheless, the purpose of this article is to suggest a change of look in understanding this intellectual dispute. Far from exhausting the discussion on normal scientific practices’ confrontation, the dispute will be studied within the framework of a broader struggle in which two candidatures (sociology and history) strives for the hegemony of the human sciences of the French university. To that end, it is necessary to analyze which institutional spaces were respectively filled by the historical and by the sociological discipline within the framework of the republican higher education. Finally, we will reflect on the lack of symmetry that characterized the relationship between both disciplines, to conclude that such disparity may be the cause of the semi-failure of the Durkheimian attack against the historians.