Vol. 71 No. 2 (2022): ANNALS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST PHILOSOPHY SERIES
The Annals of the University of Bucharest, Philosophical series, is devoted to the exploration of different topics of Philosophy.
Full Issue
Articles
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RETURNING TO SELF AND LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN NEOPLATONIC SEMANTIC OF EPISTROPHE
Abstract
In my paper I will discuss the reinterpretation of the Neoplatonic ‘epistrophe’ as a hallmark of description of subjectivity in the Patristics. The Plotinian theme of epistrophe outlined a new understanding of Self, centered on individuality and subjectivity. By affirming the existence of distinctive levels in Self, Plotinus brought a degree of complexity to the Platonic Self, by introducing levels of epistrophe, manifested in a continuum that extends from the sensitive to the intelligible. The intelligible Plotinian realm is ‘in us’, the one that can be reached on the way back to oneself. Converting transference means decisions made by the rational beings to move toward their cause and beginning or their own end, God.
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HAPPINESS ACCORDING TO BOETHIUS’ CONSOLATIO PHILOSOPHIAE
Abstract
As a philosopher or a lover of philosophy, one wonders whether this area can also be useful in everyday life; whether philosophy also has a reason that leads to happiness. Boethius tried to find the answer to this question in the 6th century through his writing Consolatio Philosophiae. The Lady Philosophy helps the prisoner Boethius see true goodness and choose authentic happiness. In this essay we try to analyze the text of the Consolatio Philosophiae and show how a happy life is possible through philosophy. We go through all the books and analyze the key passages of the Consolatio. At the same time, we follow the state of mind of Boethius and see how far he understands the
prospect of happiness. From diagnosing Boethius (as established by Lady Philosophy) as banished in his existence, through understanding Fortuna as an ever-changing goddess, to true happiness, we accompany Boethius in his sorrows and doubts. The last questions of books four and five, the questions of the theodicy, refer to the justification of the philosopher to believe in a God who allows evil in the world and who supposedly does not predestine creation in his foreknowledge. The conclusions are partially redundant. It is up to the individual to decide whether philosophy can be a good companion on the way to eternal happiness. Some prerequisites of Boethian philosophy and theology could
be established here. -
ON CREATIVITY AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PASSION
Abstract
The article aims to pay aesthetic and axiological tribute to Charles Fourier’s conception of the so-called attraction passionelle – the basic drive of social development, and, in particular, of the composite passion, “the most beautiful of the twelve passions, the one which enhances the value of all the others”. The exposition will consecutively focus on
Herbert Marcuse’s note in Eros and Civilization on the transformation of labor into pleasure as the central idea of Fourier’s socialist utopia; on Fourier’s insisting that only the composite passions, not the simple, are human trait; and, respectively, on analyzing beyond Fourier and Marcuse the role and significance of the composite passion – or, the “pure human passion”, as the base of creativity in contemporary culture of post-/trans-/alter-human art, science and technology. Last but not least, the exposition will pay attention to how this “pure human passion” as the core of creativity could be related to the emotional intelligence – artificial intelligence (EI vs. AI) opposition in contemporary age. -
MUSIC AND EMOTION: FROM ANCIENT GREECE TO CONTEMPORANEITY
Abstract
Understanding how music and emotion co-vary has been the focus for many scholars for a long time, starting with the writings of Ancient Greeks to contemporary thought. Philosophers, musicologists, and cognitive scientists alike have been puzzling on the extent to which music can have an influence on how humans feel, think and act morally and ethically. Therefore, the understanding of this relation is of paramount importance as we are immersed in organized-sound contexts every day, and this has a major effect on how listeners think and act in social environments. The current investigation aims at highlighting the development of the music and emotion relationship throughout the stylistic periods of the European space (with a short comparison to Ancient Chinese music) as a preamble for a more nuanced future research on the topic.
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PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF NEW SOCIO-POLITICAL TRENDS AND MIGRATION OF CITIZENS
Abstract
The article analyzes the role of education and the challenges faced by the domain of philosophy of education nowadays. Civilization owes its existence to the development and formation of education. The philosophy of education considers the most general foundations of education, its development and functioning. The main aim of this article is to critically undertake the value of education and analyze how it has developed from ancient times up until nowadays along the philosophy of education. One of the major challenges is represented by the increased costs assigned to education, which has become one of the most expensive and most valuable commodities and, consequently, has affected the development of countries. In fact, one of the major premises of this study is that educational resources, rather than economic ones, definitely impact the raise and evolution of a nation. A particular focus will be devoted to the correspondences and contrasts between different European educational traditions and some Russian paradigms
reflected by the philosophy of education. The European liberal understanding of the philosophy of education and its reception in the Russian philosophical thought have both differences and common aspects. Both support the idea that the philosophy of education has a pronounced interdisciplinary character which should be kept as such. A special place in the field of education is occupied by the international market of educational services, which is designed to improve the demographic situation and positively influences the labor market of recipient countries, as well as contribute to the
development of the general level of education of the nation. A second argument that will tailor the current research will plea for accepting the competition of talents in the modern world, which is designed to attract educational migrants. The export of education requires freedom of movement, which underlies the free competition of educational services and the worldwide exchange of knowledge. Thus, the free exchange of knowledge and its transfer will contribute to maximize innovations in the field of education, which consequently will directly support both the modernization of the educational systems and the preservation of national educational traditions. -
ISLAM AS A POLITICAL PROJECT IN POST-INDEPENDENT AZERBAIJAN
Abstract
The development of Islam in Azerbaijan is a dynamic process shaped by both historical and contemporary events. The policy of state atheism during the Soviet period contributed by strengthening the role of religion. The article aims to highlight the role of Islam and its affirmation as a viable political project and as a resonator of everything happening in Azerbaijan. Alongside the historical approach an anthropological one has been applied – open to more qualitative studies and sensitive to internal differences, especially towards details usually treated as insignificant, but important for the overall analysis of religion. The ending summarizes how the perception of Islam is transformed not only as social phenomenon, but also as a factor of political change.
Book Reviews
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THE OLD ROOTS OF THE NEW AESTHETICS Review of CORNEL-FLORIN MORARU, The scientific turn of contemporary aesthetics. Avant-garde research in the fields of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Eikon Publishing House, Bucharest, 2022, 345 p.
Abstract
Individuals with an inclination towards the great tradition of European culture do not want to take note of the scientific-technological evolution of the last decades, and scientists do not want to know of the existence of a cultural tradition that preceded them. The contemporary intellectual landscape seems to be marked by a massive split between two apparently irreconcilable attitudes. For all their differences, both sides believe that the contemporary evolution of technology has overturned the fundamental concepts that have permeated European culture from Homer to Heidegger.
