Skhid

Usage of Digital Platforms in Promoting Pastoral Communication in Ecclesiastical Province Of Owerri

2025-02-14T01:27:57+02:00

The study investigated the usage of digital platforms in promoting pastoral communication in Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri. Using the technological acceptance model as a theoretical background for this study, the researcher qualitatively and quantitatively collected data from clergy and church members of Anglican communion resident in The Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri.The mixed method research design was used. Using the Cochran formula in determining sample size of unknown population the sample size derived was 384 at 95% confidence level and a 5% error level for the sample size. The sample respondents were drawn using multistage sampling. Eighteen (18) participants were purposively selected among clergymen in Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri for the study too. The researcher made the following key findings: clergies in Ecclestiastical province of owerri significantly use digital platforms for pastoral communication; nonetheless, clergymen in Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri still relied heavily on the use of TV and radio for the promotion of pastoral communication. As a result of this, the adoption of digital media platforms is very minimal. In conclusion, there has been a great change in the way our churches communicate and preach today as compared to the eras before now. This change has been trigger by the new trend in communications in the twenty first century. The 21st century is greatly characterised by the use of digital media platforms for easy and convenient communication experiences.

Therapeutic potential of Zen Buddhism and its practice in the Post-Anxiety Era

2025-02-13T15:09:51+02:00

This work explores the potential of Zen Buddhist practices such as meditation, mind-fulness, and acceptance of life's variability, examining their application in contemporary psychotherapeutic programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). The study employs a concise theoretical analysis of key Zen concepts, including emptiness (sunyata), satori (enlightenment), enso (circle symbolizing the universe), and the focus on living in the present moment. Methodological tools such as systematization, comparative analysis, critical reflection, and cross-cultural perspectives bridge Zen Buddhism and modern psychotherapy. Empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of Zen practices in reducing anxiety by fostering awareness and cultivating inner peace. Techniques such as zazen meditation improve emotional resilience, reduce stress, and encourage the acceptance of uncertainty and life's natural fluctuations. These practices are particularly effective in addressing anxiety linked to fears of the future and a lack of control. Studies also highlight the impact of Zen practices on neurophysiological activity, show-ing improvements in brain function and overall psychoemotional wellbeing. Programs like MBSR, which integrate meditative practices and mindfulness, demonstrate signifi-cant benefits in reducing anxiety symptoms and promoting mental health. However, their effectiveness can vary depending on individual factors, including commitment to practice and cultural adaptability. Despite these limitations, Zen Buddhism offers a holistic framework that complements conventional therapeutic methods.
In conclusion, Zen Buddhism provides valuable tools for managing anxiety in the post-anxiety era. Its meditation and mindfulness practices, rooted in centuries-old wis-dom, have been scientifically validated as effective for reducing stress and improving emotional stability. Incorporating Zen principles into modern psychotherapeutic approaches can significantly enhance mental health, increase resilience to stress, and fos-ter a sense of harmony with oneself and the world. These timeless practices offer a pathway to greater inner peace and well-being, addressing the urgent need for effective mental health strategies in today's fast-paced and uncertain world.

Mark Egart’s Travel Writings: Anthropology and Religion in Altai

2025-01-29T10:54:43+02:00

The article analyzes the anthropological and religious aspects of Mark Egart's travel essays, which focus on the indigenous peoples of Altai during the Soviet collectivization of the 1930s. His book “The Ferry: Sketches of the Struggle for Socialism in the Altai Mountains” (1932) is examined as a valuable source that combines literary and ethnographic techniques to illuminate the profound cultural and religious transformations brought about by Soviet modernization. The study highlights shamanism, Burhanism, and everyday practices, through which Egart explores the interaction between traditional belief systems and Soviet ideological processes. Special attention is given to the methods Egart used to document the region’s spiritual and cultural heritage, as well as to how he integrated ideological narratives into his ethnographic descriptions. The article emphasizes the duality of Egart’s position: on one hand, he meticulously records the cultural specificities of the region; on the other, he interprets them through the lens of Soviet ideological paradigms, portraying traditions as relics of the past to be modernized. The study's findings evaluate Egart’s contribution to shaping the perception and literary image of the indigenous peoples of Altai through the interplay of anthropology, religion, and politics in the context of Soviet history. His travel essays are presented as an important source for understanding the dynamics of cultural change and the influence of ideology on traditional communities.

Participation of the municipal self-government of Katerynoslav in the development of secondary education at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century

2025-01-16T19:38:57+02:00

The article examines the involvement of Katerynoslav's municipal self-government in the development of secondary education during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was found that municipal institutions in Katerynoslav began directly contributing to secondary education relatively late, primarily due to the constraints of the municipal budget. The study highlights that, under existing legislation, the establishment of women's gymnasiums was the most feasible field for municipal self-governments to implement educational initiatives in secondary education. Organizing such gymnasiums enabled municipal bodies to actively participate in managing educational institutions. The research demonstrates that the women's pro-gymnasium, which was later upgraded to a full gymnasium, serves as a prominent example reflecting the challenges faced by municipal self-governments in advancing secondary education. This case also vividly illustrates the process of acquiring valuable experience, thereby enriching the historical memory of educational development. The primary funding source for both the pro-gymnasium and the gymnasium was tuition fees. Significantly, the most substantial progress in municipal women's secondary education occurred after 1907, when Katerynoslav's municipal self-government, benefiting from new budgetary revenues, facilitated the operation of three women's gymnasiums and one real school. These institutions were provided with dedicated facilities constructed using municipal funds. However, alongside these positive developments, challenges emerged, including increased individual tuition fees for female students in Yekaterinoslav and occasional refusals of admission due to limited vacancies.

Language policy of Ukraine and its representation in social doctrines of the Orthodox churches

2025-01-16T11:58:51+02:00

The article provides a critical analysis of the leading ideas and fundamental principles of the social doctrine (teachings) of the Orthodox churches operating in Ukraine and interprets the key dominants and the specifics of their implementation of the strategic goals of the state language policy in Ukraine. The main aim is to investigate the problems of the reception of the state language strategy by Orthodox communities with different jurisdictions and to clearly clarify and justify the risks and dangers arising from the attitude to the language policy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is under the canonical subordination of the Mosokovsky Patriarchate. As a result of the study, it was proved that the role and place of Orthodox communities in the implementation of the strategic goals of language policy in Ukraine is different. Their participation in the process of implementation of the state language policy is equally ambiguous, and even openly contradictory in terms of ideological and value orientation and methods of implementation. In the case of the activity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, it is subversive, anti-state, harmful and poses a threat to the national security of Ukraine. The material of the article has important theoretical and practical significance in view of the integral critical justification of the state language strategy of the UOC MP and OCU as dominant vector-oriented politically oriented Orthodox jurisdictions, which is actualized in the conditions of modern challenges and leading trends and, in particular, due to the need to implement the life of legal norms, defined by the Law of Ukraine "On the protection of the constitutional system in the sphere of activities of religious organizations".

Orthodox dominant of preservation of national memory in the material and spiritual culture of the Ukrainian people

2025-01-14T13:04:51+02:00

The article explores how collective memory shapes a unique cultural environment within the modern Ukrainian state. National identity is presented as a key condition for the survival of the Ukrainian people and the preservation of their cultural and historical heritage. One of the study's central themes is the Orthodox tradition, which has religious and cultural potential that extends beyond a purely religious framework. The historical development of Orthodox influence is evident in local educational practices, political life, and Ukrainians' self-determination across different periods. The article also examines the impact of Catholic dominance on the collective memory and self-consciousness of the local population during engagements with the Western world. It highlights the responses of Orthodox communities, particularly their efforts to safeguard spiritual traditions in reaction to Catholic expansion in the region. Key concepts such as "memory space," "cultural memory," and "reference points" are analyzed to explain the mechanisms through which traditional ways of life are preserved via texts, rituals, holidays, and other cultural practices. Particular emphasis is placed on the ethno-mental triangle of "paganism - Byzantine Christianity - religious syncretism in the form of Ukrainian Orthodoxy" and the triad "empire - Soviet period - independence," which is proposed as a framework for interpreting Ukraine's extended cultural and historical periods. The article also highlights the unique characteristics of restoring religious structures in the post-Soviet era and examines their connections to Eastern European religious and cultural traditions. In spiritual culture, sacred texts are emphasized, while in material culture, differences in architectural styles reflecting various cultural traditions are analyzed. These buildings showcase aesthetic preferences and the ideological and value orientations of their respective eras. Finally, the article emphasizes the cultural potential of national memory in shaping new ideological concepts. This is exemplified by the celebration of Kyiv's 1500th anniversary in 1982 and the contemporary Ukrainian state's use of Cossack heritage, which remains highly relevant in addressing modern challenges.

The phenomenon of Sobornist in the context of civilizational discourses of Ukrainian orthodoxy

2025-01-13T14:17:30+02:00

The article examines the authentic (Orthodox) dimension of the phenomenon of Sobornist. It argues that the conciliar (soborny) paradigm offers a complex ideological construction of unity in diversity. Theoretically, this is the ideal of harmony within the Orthodox Church and Orthodox community. Practically, due to a series of ideological distortions, it cannot be realized either in ecclesial or social existence. It is substantiated that in historical retrospect, in Orthodox countries, the source of these distortions was the cultural-civilizational complex of Byzantism (Byzantinism). A number of “social sins” of Byzantism, namely the Caesaropapal subordination of the Church to the state, the statist exaggeration of the historical role of certain countries and peoples, and the devaluation of human personality, absolutized the principle of unity through pressure on diversity. The importance of considering the role of socio-cultural and political factors of different nations and countries in the self-expression of Byzantism on national soil is proven. In the case of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, it is about the tradition of “Kyivan Christianity,” which had several specific traits that laid the foundation for the legitimization of both unity and diversity, somewhat minimizing the distortion of the conciliar (soborny) ideal in the life of the Church and the community. On the contrary, russian Orthodoxy and russian religious philosophy, through the cultivation of the statist component of Byzantism, legitimized russian imperialism. Its current form—the ideology of the “russian world,” with an emphasis on the violent “gathering of lands”—embodies an anti-soborny social paradigm.

A Study of Social Memory and Forgetting by Paul Connerton: Mechanisms and Tools

2025-01-13T13:48:59+02:00

This research is dedicated to the phenomenon of social memory and its component, social amnesia, as revealed in the works of the British sociologist and philosopher Paul Connerton. The author explores the identified types of social forgetting in the researcher's concept, analyzes the factors that give rise to them, and the mechanisms and tools for including the phenomenon in the metaphysics of social being and reality. The study highlights the significant contribution of this renowned sociologist to the theoretical exploration of social memory, social time, and social amnesia as factors in historical processes and as sociocultural determinants of sociogenesis.) The process of reflection of societal forgetting is interpreted as a rejection or removal from social and cultural memory of a reliable social assessment of the significance of these phenomena and facts. Spontaneous manifestations of social amnesia are inevitable in history, periodically projecting in society the need to temporarily relieve itself of the weight of comprehensive historical memory and responsibility. In this case, it has a functional aspect, being one of the mechanisms of psychological self-defense of society. It has been shown how society and the state, driven by their own needs, utilize instruments of social preservation to structure and construct their memories, endowing them with new interpretations to address various objectives. Each generation independently reshapes collective memories of the past; some of these memories become prominent in the current generation's mentality, while others are suppressed and undergo amnesia. The study examines models of sociocultural reproduction, highlighting Paul Connerton's interpretation of the possibility of social forgetting in its contemporary forms. The author concludes that, whereas in ancient societies disruptions in social memory were primarily effected through the physical eradication of groups and the destruction of written records, the modern era's cultural framework inherently facilitates and necessitates discontinuities in social memory and social forgetting.

Mythological narratives of Japanese animation: the memory of the collective unconscious in the culture of consumerism

2025-01-09T11:20:39+02:00

The article explores the use of mythological narratives in Japanese animation as part of collective memory in the context of consumer culture. The author analyses symbolic and archetypal images in popular animated works such as Spirited Away, Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, Death Note and Death Parade, which reflect the transformation of values, the crisis of freedom and the loss of authenticity in the context of the modern consumer society. Particular attention is paid to the idea of consumption as a new religion that creates a cult of material wealth and status, and its impact on the formation of public consciousness. The article examines how Japanese animation uses ancient mythological motifs and archetypes of the collective unconscious to criticise consumerism, but at the same time these motifs are often integrated into the system of consumption, becoming part of it. The work aims to explore the dual role of mythological narratives: as a means of criticism and as an element that reproduces consumer culture, and their significance in the philosophical understanding of the modern world.

Language and Language Policy as Instruments for Shaping National Identity

2025-01-09T10:17:18+02:00

This article presents a philosophical analysis of the interconnection between language, national and personal identity, and the role of the modern Ukrainian elite in the context of Ukraine’s language policy. It examines the philosophical aspects of forming national identity through language, the impact of social changes on identity, and the contradictions in the views of various authors on these issues. A novel methodological approach is applied, based on the theoretical and methodological concept of J. Derrida, which demonstrates a transition from the language of identities to the language of differences in both ontological and epistemological dimensions of research. The prioritization of the procedure of differentiation over the search for identity leads to an innovative interpretation of the concept of unity through the combination and coexistence of social diversity. The cultural unity of the nation emerges as a construct founded on the significant presence of diverse subjects that create a shared cultural and political world. Drawing on the works of B. Azhnyuk, V. Kulyk, O. Lytvynchuk, and M. Piren, it analyzes contemporary approaches to understanding language policy, its European foundations, and its influence on Ukraine’s state-building processes. The role of the elite in consolidating society and implementing democratic reforms is highlighted, with specific examples and proposals for improving language policy. The article also identifies prospects for further research in this area.

Transhumanism in the context of Ethos of enhancement and search for Identity: philosophical origins

2025-01-06T21:01:30+02:00

The article considers the problem of transhumanism in the context of the ethics of enhancement. It is noted that modern experiments on the transformation of human identity, the improvement of physical and intellectual capabilities of a person with the help of modern biotechnologies are just a modification of old idea of self-transcendence, which has always worried humanity. Pre-philosophical versions of human improvement within mythology outlined the horizon of the ethos of enhancement, its main directions. They consisted in ritual attempts to go beyond the constants of human identity: mortality, division into two sexes and intelligence. Accordingly, the foundations were laid for future directions of intellectual thought that comprehend these constants: immortalism, transgenderism and the philosophy of artificial intelligence. It is proved that within the classical tradition of philosophy there are three paradigms (cosmocentric, theocentric and anthropocentric), which, despite their individual characteristics, are based on the common idea of representation and the metaphysical opposition of essence and existence, which must be removed in the eschatological perspective of the “end of history”. In the non-classical tradition, metaphysical ideas of essence and representation are denied, and a new constructivist paradigm is put forward, which becomes the basis for the ethos of enhancement in general and the project of transhumanism in particular. At the same time, the article expresses concern that the constructivist non-classical paradigm, taken as the foundation for the ethical examination of transhumanism, contains significantly more existential risks than the classical representative one.

Functional and semantic appearances of ergonyms in modern Ukrainian language

2025-01-06T19:53:22+02:00

Proper names occupy an important place in any language, they quickly respond to various changes in society, reflect various historical, economic, social and ideological influences, change their semantic content due to changes in various aspects of cultural and historical development. The problem of collection, systematization and description of proper names arose in Ukrainian onomastics due to the sharp increase in their number at the end of the last century and needs to be organized and comprehensively studied. Ukrainian linguistic studies contain investigations of the ergonyms some regions. But the ergonyms of Kyiv are actively changing under the influence of extralinguistic factors and require special research. The material of this study includes 3,500 names of catering establishments fixed during 2022-2023 in Kyiv. The semantic manifestations of ergonyms of Kyiv for the designation of food establishments are analyzed in the article. The factors, contributing to the creation of such ergonyms are highlighted, the main structural and morphological features of such ergonyms are revealed. Special attention is paid to the sources and ways of borrowing of Kyiv’s ergonyms. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that for the first time ergonyms are considered as an element of the onomastic system and a unit of the onomastic space of Kyiv. A typology of ergonyms and their statistical description by structure and origin, including the fixation of graphics (Latinization, graphic deconstruction, etc.), is proposed.

The influence of social networks on the construction of historical memory

2024-12-26T08:20:39+02:00

The article is devoted to the study of the modern social networks’ impact on the content and form of historical memory as a social and personal phenomenon. The author proposes to consider the historical memory presented in social networks as a certain graph of a fractal nature, that is, one that can contain other graphs as elements. This consideration permits to single out two fields of historical memory’s consideration in social networks: the influence of the historical narrative on the elements of the graph, as well as its influence on the connections between these elements. The author considered the effects of post-truth, timelessness, polarization, forgetting or distortion of the memories’ space, which arise due to the influence of social networks’ memories. It is shown that these effects can arise not only as a result of the social network actors’ deliberate actions, but also as a result of the networks’ principles themselves. They can also influence both the content of the conceptual memory framework and the very elements present in the community's memory.

Mr CONTENDING HISTORICAL AND HISTORIOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVES IN ETHIOPIA: A POST- MODERNIST CRITIQUE

2024-12-12T15:53:55+02:00

Ethiopia's history is deeply rooted and intertwined in the country’s polarized politics, leading to a complex and contested historical landscape and interpretation between Ethio-nationalist and ethno-nationalist schools. The positivistic meta-narrative of Ethiopian historiography held by the Ethio-nationalists argues that the postmodernist approach espoused by the ethno nationalists threatens the grand narrative of Ethiopian history and challenges the objectivity of history. This article aims to expose and criticize these fallacies and contradictions in Ethiopianist historiography. A qualitative explorative case study design was used to gather data from primary and secondary sources. The primary sources were interviews with purposely selected eight key informants representing varying historical perspectives. Content analysis from documents, established literature, and social media comprised secondary sources. Content and thematic analyses were used for data interpretation and generalization. Accordingly, foreign writers' perspectives, Ethio-nationalist perspectives, ethno-nationalist perspectives, and successive Ethiopian regimes' historiographical perspectives have contributed to Ethiopia's historiographical contradictions. The historical debate has been entangled with national-level political debate, negatively impacting national reconciliation and cohesion. The article recommends policy implications to enhance national cohesion through historical deconstruction, reinterpretation, and inclusivity of marginalized voices through new historicism.

Keywords: Ethiopia’s history; Ethno-nationalism; historical perspectives; national cohesion; new historicism; postmodernist historiography.

Corporality: From Commonality to Structurality

2024-11-04T15:24:22+02:00

The article conducts a philosophical and ethical investigation into the interaction between human corporeality and the technologies that transform it. As the focus on these technologies shifts, the understanding of the model of corporeality changes as well. An analysis of historical teachings about the essence of corporeality and its structural components is carried out, allowing for the determination of the limits of changes that do not distort human nature. The relationship between corporeality and spirituality in various philosophical traditions and spiritual practices is also examined. The contribution of Rene Descartes to the doctrine of corporeality is highlighted, as he approached this duality from a new perspective, using analytical methods to identify patterns in the existence of the bodily and the spiritual. He concluded that matter has the property of divisibility, while spirituality is indivisible. Corporeality has structural elements, whereas the spiritual does not possess such characteristics, which allowed for a reevaluation of corporeality and the application of a new methodology for study. Over time, structurality began to transform into functionality as an expression of corporeality. This led to the formation of doctrines, one of which viewed humans as functioning soulless machines (block-functional model), while another approach contributed to the emergence of cellular theory (ontogenetic-epistemological), as one of the key directions in the study of human corporeality.

The article examines the views on corporeality of Plato and Aristotle, focusing on their interpretation of the model of the immortality of the soul after physical death. It reveals the connections between body and spirit in the models of G.-W.-F. Hegel (the concept of interiorization) and F.-W. Nietzsche (the formation of the soul). The perspectives on corporeality by J. Baudrillard ("differentiated prosthesis", "matrix of simulation", "body as an object of fetishization") and the socio-cultural constructions of corporeality in the teachings of J.-P. Sartre, E.-G.-A. Husserl, and M. Merleau-Ponty are also discussed. Additionally, a philosophical analysis of the understanding of immortality is conducted. The article examines the influence of neuroscience on cognitive activity and bodily experiences, the expansion of embodiment beyond the physical body, CRISPR technologies, and the impact of virtual reality on existentialism.

Scientometric research of the migration waves of Ukrainian scientists at the beginning of the XXI century

2024-10-22T14:35:48+03:00

The article contains the results of a scientometric assessment of the current state of scientific migration processes in Ukraine. Their features and main trends were identified, methodical approaches to their fixation and consolidation of the obtained data in national bibliometric systems were formed using methods of source studies and analysis of scientific publications on the researched topic, as well as methods of statistical, comparative and structural analysis. The sources of data for the research were the international multi-subject databases of scientific publications, Web of Science, Scopus, as well as the multidisciplinary registrar of unique scientific identifiers ORCID, the Scopus SCImago Journal & Country Rank indicator (for evaluating the scientific weight of publications) and the information-analytical system "Bibliometrics of Ukrainian science". The authors found that the phenomenon of scientific migration is constantly present in all periods of Ukraine's existence, and one of its consequences is the decline of the country's intellectual potential, marked by the deterioration of scientometric indicators of the activity of domestic science. At the same time, the positive consequences of intellectual migration have also been recorded, in particular, the conduct of scientific research in the conditions of emigration, which could not be carried out in the scientist's homeland, the increase in the knowledge of Ukrainian scientists and their demand, stimulation of the development of science in general. When analyzing the functionality of bibliometric and scientometric databases for monitoring changes in the affiliations of domestic scientists, the advantages of the ORCID registry as a source database for conducting scientometric studies of migration processes were revealed. The concept of a general approach to recording and evaluating the phenomenon of scientific migration of domestic scientists by national bibliometric systems is proposed, which should involve a combination of the citation-numerological scientometric approach with expert conclusions.

Value priorities in labor behavior of Ukrainian war refugees

2024-09-29T12:24:23+03:00

The article examines the peculiarities of the labor behavior of Ukrainians who, due to the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, left en masse to other countries to seek temporary protection and asylum. Therefore, they replenished the ranks of war refugees and, fulfilling the rules and requirements of the host countries, carry out labor activities. The peculiarities of their work behavior are considered through the prism of values, understood as the basis of individual socialization (T. Parsons). The criterion basis for the selection of values for the author's analysis was the European Social Survey of the Values of Democracy and Ways to Achieve Personal Well-being (ESS), in which Ukraine was included in 2012. At that time, the value priorities of Ukrainians in relation to work related to the level of income, job reliability, the ability to combine work and family responsibilities, to improve qualifications and the ability to take the initiative. Having chosen this scale of values as a basis and having processed a number of open statistical and scientific sources, sociological studies, the author found out how much these values have changed/transformed among war refugees who left for European countries, as of the beginning of 2023. In particular, several types of the employee's labor mentality are highlighted, which are based on the ambivalence of the elements of the national labor pattern, and the correlation of these elements with the image of the Ukrainian war refugee of the sample of 2022-2023 years is made (mostly women aged 30-60, with children, has a higher education, is a representative of the average class with high adaptability). It is shown that the prospects of Ukrainian refugees to integrate into the labor market of the host country are generally high due to their high ability to adapt to new social and economic conditions.

Inequality as a challenge in the Western cultural and civilizational paradigm

2024-09-29T10:47:57+03:00

The article focuses on the problem of social inequality in the Western cultural and civili-zational paradigm. It is noted that in the history of Western philosophy and culture, there have always been two different approaches to understanding inequality. The first path of elitism involved the apology for inequality, proposing ideas of aristocracy (inequality within a single society) or racial domination (inequality between peoples and civilizations). This phil-osophical tradition can be called traditional-authoritarian (Plato, Aristotle) or romantic-conservative (H. Chamberlain). The second way is egalitarian, which insists on creating a society built on the idea of equality (the philosophy of liberalism and Marxism). If representa-tives of the liberal wing of egalitarianism (Locke, Bentham) focus on the justification of a society of equal opportunities with an emphasis on natural human rights, the tradition of Marxism tends to consider social contradictions caused by inequality as antagonistic. There-fore, protest, revolution, rebellion become a specifically Western way of eradicating inequali-ty (Marx, Camus). At the same time, the article notes that the deep worldview basis of this way of solving the problem of inequality is the nihilistic nature of Western civilization, its "Faustian spirit" (Spengler).

Immigration Discourse as a Distraction from Institutional Failures

2024-09-20T00:36:52+03:00

This paper examines how the intense focus on immigration in Western societies serves as a distraction from more fundamental institutional failures across various sectors. Through a multi-faceted qualitative approach combining critical discourse analysis, comparative institutional analysis, and philosophical inquiry, we investigate the rhetoric surrounding immigration and its purported impacts. Our findings reveal that immigration discourse often functions as a smokescreen, obscuring systemic issues such as economic stagnation, housing crises, healthcare inefficiencies, and educational shortcomings. By applying theoretical frameworks from thinkers like Girard, Habermas, and Žižek, we demonstrate that the scapegoating of immigrants is a complex societal mechanism allowing for the displacement of anxieties stemming from institutional dysfunction. The research highlights the contrast between stagnation in traditional sectors and the dynamism of the technology industry, underscoring the need for comprehensive institutional reform. We argue for reframing public discourse away from divisive immigration debates and towards addressing root causes of social and economic challenges. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of contemporary societal issues and calls for a shift in focus towards meaningful institutional reform to create more efficient, institutions capable of addressing 21st-century challenges.

Liminality in migration

2024-09-15T09:58:29+03:00

The article addresses the issues of population migration, both planned and systematic, as well as uncontrolled and illegal, which have become an integral part of the existence of a globalized world. These processes serve as a vivid example of the blurring of borders and demonstrate the deepening interdependence of various factors and regions in the socio-economic, political, and cultural-spiritual spheres. Understanding migration processes, as multidirectional movements within the socio-cultural space of individuals and communities, driven by both objective and subjective reasons, is particularly important for Ukraine during the war with Russia, which has led to the displacement of numerous internally displaced persons, as well as the migration of millions of women and children beyond Ukraine's borders. The concept of liminality, especially in migration, is explained, explored, and philosophically substantiated, and how it influences migration processes in general, acculturation, and the adaptation of emigrants to foreign environments. It explores how this concept affects migration processes in general, acculturation, and the adaptation of emigrants to a foreign environment. The study looks into changes in micro- and macro-societies, the cultural environment of emigrants, and presents the author's concept of acquiring dual identity as one of the positive outcomes of the liminal state of emigrants. This concept suggests that quality integration into a foreign space can be achieved while preserving one's own national identity and gaining a new status as an immigrant. The article shows how the concept of "dual identity" helps emigrants or refugees overcome the liminal period during their integration into a foreign society.

Modern life experience of Ukrainian migrants in the context of intercultural strategies

2024-09-15T09:39:01+03:00

The article reveals the current aspects of the problem of intercultural relations, adaptation and integration of Ukrainian refugees in a new social and cultural envi-ronment. The stages of acculturation of migrants are systematized using the classic works of K. Oberg, J. Berry and modern sociological research. It was found that the processes of assimilation of values, forms of behavior of a new community, crea-tion of new cultural algorithms contribute to the separation of a person from the traumatic experience of the past and overcoming post-traumatic cultural stress.
An important component of adaptation processes of migrants is the support of their host state and civil society. The need to work with migrants is emphasized, in particular, work with injuries caused by the military conflict, strategies to counter violence caused by the consequences of war, work to achieve dialogue and peace-ful resolution of conflicts, countering discrimination, integration of refugees into the everyday and cultural space of the local community, assistance in the development of social entrepreneurship to resolve socio-economic conflicts.

Religious security as a component of the national security of Ukraine: actualization of the problem in wartime

2024-08-23T12:03:50+03:00

The article updates the issue of religious security of Ukraine, which is a component of national security. For a long time, despite expert assessments, this problem was not taken into account by the state and society, however, religious security is an important part of general national security, and this issue is relevant not only for Ukraine. The article analyzes threats to religious security provoked by Russian armed aggression. The concept of the "Ukrainian world" as the living space of Ukrainians in its historiographical, axiological, ontological, and existential content should become the dominant basis for the formation of religious security in its relationship with national security. The main vectors for the need to observe the religious security of modern Ukraine and to prevent irreparable damage to the national and state security of Ukraine with the use of the religious factor are highlighted: legal and legal; social and civil; institutional and organizational; worldview-ideological; educational and educational; military chaplain. The authors draw attention to the danger of the existence in Ukraine of those religious organizations that are affiliated with the aggressor country - organizationally, historically, mentally, culturally, linguistically - and prove that the narratives promoted by these structures in sermons, communication, comments, and holo - even in the actions of their religious leaders, affirm in Ukraine foreign values of "Russian world", "one Slavic and Orthodox people", "Moscow - the third Rome", etc. The authors prove that the activity of anti-Ukrainian institutions should be banned. According to the authors, this does not contradict the principles of freedom of conscience and religion, but protects the Ukrainian people from hostile ideological and religious influences that led to a large-scale Russian-Ukrainian war.

Violence and Freedom: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Practices of Freedom

2024-07-12T02:57:15+03:00

It’s difficult to give an account of human history without alluding to the reigns of terror and the fascination with violence perpetrated in the name of freedom and justice. Freedom and violence are two contrasting concepts that have shaped the history of humanity. While freedom is often associated with liberation, violence is characterized by the use of force and coercion. This study delves into the complex relationship between violence and freedom from a phenomenological perspective.

Our understanding of freedom is shaped by the Kantian conception of freedom as the property of the will. It’s a model of freedom which associates freedom with mastery. It’s not only the negative and positive conceptions of freedom that have fallen prey to this attitude but postmodern freedom also operates within the same framework. The paper challenges this conventional understanding of freedom and its alignment with violence by drawing on phenomenological philosophy to explore the experiences of individuals who are both subject and objects of violence. It argues that freedom is not simply the absence of physical constraints, but rather a complex interplay of social and existential factors that shape individuals' experiences of agency and autonomy.

Migration Policy, Net Migration Rates, & The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ASEAN Member States (2012 – 2022)

2024-07-02T16:25:06+03:00

Over the past 10 years, the ASEAN region has experienced robust economic growth, driven by several factors including increasing foreign investment, growing domestic consumption, and favorable demographics. Statistics show that migration of workers make up a significant portion of the labor force in the ASEAN region. Asia has a long history of international migration, but in recent years it has grown in scope, diversity, and significance. Several factors have contributed to ASEAN's economic development, including government initiatives to improve the business environment, investment in infrastructure, and efforts to promote trade and regional economic integration. Migration-development discourse and existing studies recognize the potential role of migrants in boosting economic situations. The average annual growth rate of ASEAN's GDP was around 5% between 2011 and 2019, with some countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines growing at a much faster pace. Despite comprising only about 1.5% of the global economy, there is no denying that the contribution of countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand is still highly significant in the context of East Asia. The objective of this study is to describe the intricate relationship between migration and domestic development. This paper took notes on the changes in ASEAN nations' immigration policies over the past ten years and observed how these have affected the patterns of net migration and economic performance. Understanding the linkages between migration and economic performance becomes crucial for understanding how sustainable development, social harmony, and long-term prosperity is affected by human movement.

Features of the social beliefs of the Orthodox Church and Christians of the Evangelical Faith

2024-06-30T16:58:27+03:00

The article examines the peculiarities of social beliefs of the Orthodox Church and Christians of the Evangelical Faith and their reflection in educational practices. It is shown that the formation of social doctrines is one of the basic tasks of modern Christianity. Social doctrine systematizes and actualizes the role and significance of social beliefs of Christianity, in their essence multi-vector, multi-dimensionality, inte-gration as the main characteristics of the spiritual sphere of the church. Social doc-trines are based on various aspects of theological and ecclesiological beliefs. They can be expressions of the theological tradition’s response to historical problems, social transformations of the digital age, in the confessional discourse, and can also reflect the modern view of a certain church on the issue of the relationship between faith and reason, science and religion, and humanitarian security. Approaches to social beliefs may differ depending on the "confessional color" of a certain religious organization and the information support of this process. According to this study, the implementation of the social doctrines of Christianity is impossible without an analysis of their beliefs aimed at solving both social issues in general and educa-tional ones. The need to develop basic strategies of spiritual education is empha-sized, outline the priorities facing education in a secularized world, but also suggest the development of sustainable concepts in the direction of highlighting the confes-sional worldview regarding the challenges of modern humanitarianism. It is proposed to consider the peculiarities of social beliefs in the system of educational processes of the Orthodox Church and the Christian Church of the Evangelical Faith. The con-clusions emphasize that the social doctrine of the Ecumenical Patriarchate presup-poses a progressive attitude to science and technological progress, encourages the church to use the resources of technological progress and informational resources for preaching. The need for the introduction of an integrated approach in spiritual education, constant informational innovations in the field of training of qualified min-isters who are able to conduct missionary preaching activities taking into account the conditions of the time for an efficient educational process and humanitarian security in the context of transformations of the digital age is being updated.