Skhid

The Ancient Era and the Problem of the 'Break of Epochs' in Viktor Petrov's Vision: the Discreteness of the Ukrainian Historical Process

2025-11-05T11:28:00+02:00

The article is devoted to the study of the Theory of Epochs developed by the prominent Ukrainian thinker and scholar Viktor Petrov (V. Domontovych) and its verification based on the materials of ancient Ukrainian history, particularly the archaeological cultures of the Black Sea region and the Dnipro basin. Petrov’s theory offers a fundamentally different view of historical development, rejecting its linearity and evolutionism. Instead, it defines the historical process as discrete, emphasizing the isolation and self-sufficiency of individual epochs in the formation of the Ukrainian people. In this context, an epoch is understood as a structural, internally closed entity determined by a dominant ideology, a stable economic foundation, and established social institutions. Rather than continuing one another, epochs replace or oppose each other, thus forming the overall historical process through “breaks” – ruptures and crises. The Ancient Era represents one such crucial stage in Slavic and Ukrainian ethnogenesis (Ith century BCE – IV th century CE). The article examines the chronological boundaries and conceptual content of this period, which Petrov viewed as a “barbarian variant” of the Hellenistic civilization north of the Black Sea. In particular, the study defines the role of Roman influence, which, according to Petrov, was not decisive but merely contributed to individual Romanization. Meanwhile, the Zarubyntsi and Chernyakhiv cultures are interpreted as examples of local modifications of self-sufficient ancient cultures that already displayed signs of universalization. The paper also defines the nature of the “break” of the Ancient Era, which led to the disappearance of the Chernyakhiv culture around the middle of the first millennium CE. Petrov believed that this rupture was caused by the deep crisis of the Roman Empire in the second half of the IVth century and the collapse of the old-world system of connections, based on Rome’s supremacy among other peoples. The Hunnic invasion merely intensified the pre-existing crisis. The focus of the research is directed toward highlighting the connection between Ukrainian culture and European civilization as an equal and self-sufficient component whose roots reach back to Antiquity. Petrov’s concept, emphasizing discreteness, ruptures, and autonomous devel-opment, is presented within the context of XXth–early XXIth century historical and archaeo-logical thought as a novel and still scientifically relevant theory, confirmed by the works of modern researchers.

Media and Religious Consciousness: How the Information Environment Affects the Spiritual Security of Society

2025-11-04T10:26:35+02:00

The article analyzes the impact of the contemporary media environment on the formation and transformation of religious consciousness in the context of the spiritual security of society. In the digital era, the information space functions as a powerful factor of socialization, worldview construction, and cultural identification. The study explores the dual role of media – as a channel of interfaith dialogue and as a potential source of spiritual destabilization. Using methods of content and discourse analysis, the paper examines the mechanisms through which media messages influence collective and individual perceptions of faith, moral values, and social cohesion. Particular attention is paid to the phenomenon of “information religiosity,” where religious symbols and narratives are appropriated by secular media discourse, leading to a superficial and consumerist understanding of spirituality. The article also addresses the issue of religious manipulation through fake news, digital propaganda, and hybrid information wars, which threaten national identity and the moral stability of societies. The author substantiates the importance of developing media literacy and spiritual culture as key components of information security. The research concludes that the protection of spiritual security requires not isolation from global information flows but the creation of a value-oriented communicative environment that promotes critical thinking, ethical reflection, and respect for religious diversity.

Education as a prominent state-building pillar: Orest Sikorskyi and the Balta Ukrainian Gymnasium (1917–1919)

2025-10-28T12:04:21+02:00

This article examines the role of Orest Sikorskyi (1880–1919), a Ukrainian educator, administrator, public and political figure, and organizer of the Ukrainian national movement in Balta and the Balta County of the Podillia Governorate, in the awakening of national consciousness among the local population amid revolutionary upheavals. Drawing on archival documents, eyewitness accounts, and contemporary scholarly research, the author considers O. Sikorskyi’s civic and educational activities in Balta as a significant local manifestation of the broader national struggle for Ukraine’s cultural and political self-determination. Born into a priestly family, O. Sikorskyi received a European education in History at the universities of Tartu and Halle, which shaped him as a representative of the modern intelligentsia: the profound moral and cultural values of his religious upbringing were integrated with a European worldview. His leadership of the commercial school in Balta, and later the Ukrainian gymnasium he founded, not only provided an institutional foundation for the development of national education but also fostered community cohesion in the face of prolonged political upheavals, war, and social instability. The tragic circumstances of his life underscore his dedication to Ukraine, and the lessons drawn from his experience remain relevant today, demonstrating the enduring connection between education and state-building.

Europe's “Shadow Agent”: Rethinking Ukraine's Historical Role in the 20th Century

2025-10-28T11:45:47+02:00

The article is devoted to the problem of adequately understanding the role of Ukraine and the Ukrainian nation in European being. The authors focus not on economic, cultural, and scientific factors, which are also important, but on geopolitical and military-political factors. The article describes and analyzes the most important moments of active participation of Ukrainians in events that are extremely important for the whole of Europe. To this end, the authors use the concepts of active and latent geopolitical subjectivity, national subject, and actor. They introduce the concepts of “shadow agent” and “pulsating subjectivity” into scientific discourse for the theoretical understanding of the role of Ukraine and Ukrainians in the events of the 20th century. With their help, the authors seek to reveal as deeply as possible the essence of the “key moments” in European history to which Ukraine is directly involved. These include the destruction of the despotic Russian Empire in 1917, the halting of the Bolshevik invasion of Western Europe in 1920, and active participation – from September 1, 1939, to September 2, 1945 in combat operations against the totalitarian states of the Axis, the liquidation of the Gulag, and, ultimately, the dismantling of the USSR.
The article concludes that throughout the 20th century, Ukraine and Ukrainians repeatedly played one of the key roles on the “geopolitical chessboard,” either as an active player or as a shadow actor, and if they had not done so, Europe would now look much worse, and European civilization might even have dissolved into the Eurasian geopolitical swamp. However, the real role of Ukraine and Ukrainians was not always recorded, so it seemed that historically significant events took place, but without Ukraine. Therefore, the authors note: “bringing” Ukraine “out of the shadows,” showing the whole world, and above all Europe, its true historical value as an integral factor, and often even the savior of European civilization, is today one of the most pressing tasks of the Ukrainian intellectual elite, including scholars of Ukrainian studies.

LIGHT AND DARKNESS: THE GENESIS OF DUALISM IN THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF HUMANKIND BEFORE THE COMMON ERA.

2025-10-26T11:30:46+02:00

This article discusses dualistic belief systems within prehistorical and early historical contexts provides deeper insight into the roots of contemporary religious and ideological conflicts. Such study helps trace the origins of dichotomies that continue to shape humanity’s collective cultural memory. The topic’s relevance is further reinforced by the growing interest in religious pluralism, intercultural dialogue, and the pursuit of universal spiritual foundations - themes that gain particular significance in today’s era of globalization and religious diversity. The purpose of this article is to clarify the origins, developmental stages and evolution of dualistic ideas in the religious consciousness of ancient civilizations from the earliest times to the beginning of the Common Era. The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines historical-religious, comparative, hermeneutic, and cultural methods. Elements of structural analysis of mythological texts and historical-typological comparison of religious systems are also applied. Scientific Novelty. The author traces the historical dynamics of the transition from the mythological opposition of light and darkness to a systemic ontological dualism, which established the foundation for Gnostic ideologemes. The novelty also lies in the introduction of little-studied sources into scientific discourse.

The emerging new Globalization and the War in Ukraine: A Complex Interplay of Politics, Economy and Society

2025-10-05T09:44:19+03:00

The article analyzes the impact of globalization on the war in Ukraine and the war's reciprocal influence on the international system, economy, and society. The conflict is viewed as a critical juncture in the reordering of the world system, accelerating trends toward deglobalization and intensifying the confrontation between democratic and auto-cratic blocs. The research is based on the phenomenological method and systems anal-ysis, supplemented by the methodology of process sociology (specifically, Norbert Elias's theory of functional democratization). This sociological approach allows the war to be analyzed not only as a geopolitical conflict but also as a consequence of the gradual breakdown of Russia's integration with the West and its entanglement with alter-native global structures. The author demonstrates that the events of the war in Ukraine definitively proved the groundlessness of the presumption "globalization equals democ-ratization," as not all states are prepared to espouse democratic values. The analysis also revealed profound economic and social consequences of the conflict: Economic: Global surges in energy and food prices, disruption of supply chains, acceleration of economic decoupling between the West, Russia, and China, and increased fragmentation of the world economy. Social: The largest migration crisis in Europe since World War II, massive casualties, and the fueling of heightened nationalism and polarization of public consciousness worldwide. The author emphasizes the necessity of revising the theoretical foundations of economic and security policy in the face of a new, less predictable global paradigm.

The image of England in the travelogues and correspondence of Ukrainian travelers of the 19th century

2025-09-30T18:37:51+03:00

This article examines the image of nineteenth-century England as perceived by travelers from the Dnieper region of Ukraine. Drawing on travelogues, memoirs, diaries, and correspondence – considered here as narrative sources – the study identifies the travelers’ objectives (education, health, and leisure), principal routes, and markers of material culture and everyday life that attracted their attention.

The analysis demonstrates that travelers’ actual experiences of England were geographically limited to major cities, particularly London, and resort towns such as Torquay and St Leonards, resulting in a fragmented and partially “unknown” image of the country. At the same time, many travelers prioritized intellectual exchange, focusing on the scientific milieu, library collections, and the views of leading scholars.

It is shown that extended stays in England facilitated the formation of new, enduring social networks – including European elites, scientists, and émigré compatriots – which promoted deeper integration into the broader European cultural context. The study concludes that exposure to this environment gradually undermined ideological stereotypes imposed by the Russian Empire. Consequently, these firsthand accounts became a catalyst for personal transformation and the development of national consciousness among travelers from the Dnieper region.

The Role of Ukrainian Studies in Ukraine's National Security and Exposing Russian Fakes

2025-09-30T16:14:56+03:00

The article analyzes the role of Ukrainian Studies in Ukraine's national security and the exposing of Russian fakes. It has been found that the Russo-Ukrainian War has become a huge challenge for Ukraine and Ukrainians, as it is being waged not only by military (conventional) means but also through information warfare and propaganda. It is revealed that Russian aggressors (Rashists) are attempting to defeat Ukrainian citizens not only on the battlefield but also in the information space, promoting a "Rashist" worldview and convincing Ukrainians of their inferiority. They also impose Putin’s ideology of the "Russian World" and imperial myths about the "single people," "blood brothers – Russians and Ukrainians," and similar narratives on the Ukrainian nation, thereby attempting to restore the USSR 2.0 in the format of "Great Historical Russia." It is shown that Russian myths are utilized as a powerful tool of hybrid warfare to falsify historical events, create false ideas about socio-political reality, and form a false social reality for the objects of information influence. As a result of these systemic actions, Ukraine's national security faces the threat of significant weakening. It is emphasized that Ukrainian Studies, as an interdisciplinary integrative science and an independent educational discipline, possesses great potential and real opportunities to actualize the intellectual achievements of Ukraine’s humanitarian elite to strengthen national security, reinforce national identity, and refute the propaganda myths and fakes of the Russian aggressors (Rashists). It is demonstrated that an important component of strengthening Ukraine's national security and national identity, and refuting Russian myths, is the creation of an appropriate legal framework that will enhance legal support for countering Russian propaganda narratives. It is established that Ukrainian Studies in the 20th and early 21st centuries contributes to the strengthening of Ukrainian national identity in Ukraine as a vital part of national security, thereby actualizing Ukrainian ethnic formation, state formation, nation formation, and ethno-cultural formation. It is concluded that Ukrainian Studies can become the national and worldview ideology of the Ukrainian Independent United State.

The Roman presence in the Northern Black Sea Region during the Republican Era: a Sociocultural Dimension

2025-09-28T10:01:18+03:00

The article is devoted to defining the specifics of Roman expansion and understanding Roman frontier policy in the Northern Black Sea region. The study emphasizes the differences between modern and ancient concepts of a border, which complicates its demarcation. The potential limit of the Roman state's influence is defined through M. Mann's concept of the "empire of domination," which posited three levels of Roman expansion during the Republican era. Based on historical sources, the dynamics of the Roman presence in the Northern Black Sea region are traced. Particular attention is given to the establishment of a system of client and allied states on the frontier. The entry of such states into the zone of the Roman state's diplomatic influence created the groundwork for the full-fledged integration of this region as a Roman province. The study determines that Roman expansion was defined not so much by military means as by a political strategy of eliminating or weakening potential regional hegemons, exemplified by the Pontic Kingdom of Mithridates VI Eupator. The Roman presence in the region was defined by the integration of local elites through the institution of clientela, which was crucial in establishing dependence on Rome. The emergence of a sociocultural syncretism during the Romanization and Hellenization of the region is identified.

Ukrainian issue in diplomatic activity of the Ukrainian People's Republic and Western Ukrainian People's Republic in the Serb, Croats and Slovenes Kingdom

2025-09-25T06:53:23+03:00

The article examines the formation and activities of the diplomatic service of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (SCS) in the 1920s. The research is based on newly discovered archival documents that have allowed for important conclusions regarding the UPR's international activities.

The author argues that despite the pro-Russian sentiment in official Serbian circles and the lack of official recognition of the UPR, Ukrainian diplomats, particularly H. Myketei, S. Lukianovych, and M. Slavinsky, achieved significant success. They conducted active outreach, spreading the "Ukrainian idea" and providing objective information to the Yugoslav public about the state of the Ukrainian nation, its history, and its aspirations for independence. The diplomats also cared for the Ukrainian community in the Kingdom of SCS, specifically by uniting interned servicemen and providing them with material and moral support. They established strong ties with Ukrainians who had immigrated to Yugoslavia earlier.

A key factor was the Ukrainian diplomats' use of an unconventional situation, namely the willingness of Croatian, Slovenian, and Macedonian representatives to cooperate. M. Slavinsky expanded the activities of the UPR missions into non-Serbian regions, which helped to foster a positive perception of Ukrainians as a nation striving to create its own independent state. Ultimately, however, the active diplomatic work of the UPR and WUPR missions in the Kingdom of SCS was hindered by the Bolshevik regime that was established in Ukraine.

European integration course of Ukraine: implementation of national interests and current challenges

2025-09-19T11:07:19+03:00

This article examines Ukraine’s European integration course as one of the main directions of contemporary foreign policy and a crucial mechanism for strengthening national security, ensuring sustainable development, and modernizing the state. It traces the historical evolution of Ukraine–EU relations, starting with the 1990 Declaration of State Sovereignty, the 1993 Verkhovna Rada Resolution “On the Main Directions of Ukraine’s Foreign Policy,” and the signing of the 1994 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and culminating in the granting of EU candidate status in 2022. The paper reviews key legal and institutional frameworks, including the Ukraine–EU Action Plan, the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Eastern Partnership initiative, the Association Agreement, and the establishment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. Particular attention is paid to the transformation of European integration following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which turned EU accession from a political and economic project into a strategy for survival, recovery, and security consolidation. The study analyzes the economic, political, and security dimensions of integration, focusing on the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with EU law, modernization of state institutions, promotion of democratic reforms, and the prospects for accession negotiations in 2025. Key obstacles to integration are identified, including insufficient competitiveness of certain economic sectors, difficulties in meeting financial obligations, and the need to improve the professional capacity of civil servants. The article highlights the EU’s role as a strategic partner in security cooperation, including Ukraine’s participation in PESCO and EUMAM initiatives and the signing of bilateral security agreements. The findings emphasize that Ukraine’s European integration course is a comprehensive strategy aimed at establishing the country as an integral part of the European political, economic, and security space, strengthening its international position, and improving citizens’ quality of life.

Natural Environment and its Influence on the Psyche of the Ukrainian Ethnos

2025-09-17T12:12:48+03:00

The article is devoted to determining the role of the natural environment in shaping the mental foundations of the Ukrainian ethnos. It is argued that a specific locality in Europe determines the psycho-ethnic basis of Ukrainian society, which undergoes a multi-vector genesis precisely in the special natural conditions of ‘the integrity of space and time.’ The geopsychological influence of the biogeographical and specific biocenotic environment on the somatopsychic state of the human mind and the regional features of such influence, which are manifested in specific ethnic psychotypology, have been determined. These psychotypological characteristics are embodied in the way of thinking of representatives of certain communities, which today is referred to as “mentality”. We approach these states of the human psyche after coming from the archetypal foundations or prototypes of the human mentality. Therefore, we move on from various archetypal foundations that significantly influence the peculiarities of behaviour and economic activity (in particular, archetypes “man-plant” and “man-animal”) to the consideration of societies dominated by the so-called “agricultural consciousness”. Such societies always progress because, after having ensured their hunger-free living, they always strive to creatively improve their well-being, namely comfort, and actively resort to art in the form of the creation of a specific product. In return, people with the collecting consciousness and their own original “art”, evolve into the selective or appropriating consciousness, when the creative approach leads to the encroachment not only on the Nature, but also on those societies that generate the product the selectors steal. The agricultural reasoning instead offers agrotechnologies, pottery, cattle breeding, cooperage, agricultural inventory and many other things such as art, writing, literature, etc.

The Harmony between Ukrainian and European Values

2025-09-16T12:15:23+03:00

This article is devoted to the problem of comparing Ukraine's national values with European values. According to the Law of Ukraine “On National Security”, Ukraine's national security is defined as “the protection of state sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic constitutional order, and other national interests of Ukraine from real and potential threats”. Experts rightly criticise this definition for being incomplete, since national values are no less important than interests. Values are also not mentioned in the Law of Ukraine “On the Basic Principles of State Policy in the Sphere of Establishing Ukrainian National and Civic Identity”. However, interests need to be complemented by values, as national interests in today's world can change rapidly under the influence of external and internal circumstances, while values are a stable foundation for statehood. Ukraine's strategic orientation towards European integration involves comparing Ukrainian and European values as part and whole. The basis of this process is a dialogue between European and Ukrainian cultural values. The system of values is revealed: a meaningful life, a vital system, an interactional, and a socializational system. To the usual complex of European values, such as freedom, democracy, and equality, others are added: "inner world", "deep respect for ordinary life", "self-fulfillment", as well as "freedom", "acceptable difference" and "practical rationalism of world domination". Among the Ukrainian values, the following are being analyzed: "desire for Order", "heartiness and sincerity", "freedom", "a feeling of a special connection with the environment", "a feeling of involvement in the affairs of other people", "the ability to overcome geopolitical traumas". Ukrainian cultural values are an open system, complemented by other components. Demonstrating the similarity between Ukrainian and European values in the table, the author concludes that the similarity of cultures makes Ukraine an integral part of the European sociocultural space.

The Development of Philosophical Thought in the Greek Colonies on the Territory of Ukraine (the Case of Olbia)

2025-09-16T07:42:37+03:00

The article is devoted to analysing the role of ancient Greek thinkers in the history of Ukrainian philosophy. Ukrainian philosophical thought, like all Ukrainian culture, is based on two fundamental sources: ancient cosmism and the Christian belief in the immortality of the soul. This makes Ukrainian philosophy part of the pan-European tradition. The search for European roots leads to the need to study the philosophical views of the population of ancient Greek colonies in the territory of modern Ukraine. Taking into account the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the emphasis is placed on the largest of the Greek colonies available today – Olbia, the ruins of which are located near the village of Parutino in the Mykolaiv region. The article is written within the framework of the interdisciplinary methodology of the Ukrainian studies paradigm and takes into account the results of research in classical ancient literature (Herodotus, Diogenes Laertius, Dion Chrysostom, Ovid), prosopographic, epigraphic and archaeological discoveries. The first colonists in Olbia were citizens of Miletus, a city in Ionia with a world-famous philosophical school. It is hypothesised that the Olbiopolitans were familiar with the natural philosophical views of the metropolis: Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes. This is indirectly indicated by the prevalence of graffiti with the name Anaximander in Olbia. Researchers have discovered bone plates with inscriptions such as “Life-Death-Life-Truth”, “Peace-War”, “Truth-Deception”, “Body-Soul”, “Dionysus-Orphics” testify to the popularity among the Olbiopolitans of ideas of Orphism and Pythagoreanism about the immortality of the human soul, the possibility of resurrection of the dead and “eternal return”. In the Hellenistic period, Dion Chrysostom wrote in his “Oratio Borysthenitica” about the philosophical conservatism of the Olbiopolitans, who loved Homer, although they were also familiar with the views of Plato. It is emphasised that Greek philosophy spread among the barbarian population of the Northern Black Sea region through Olbia and other colonies. The conclusion is made about the connection between ancient cosmism through Neoplatonism and early Christian ideas about the world, God, and man, which became decisive for the later Ukrainian philosophical tradition.

The image of the military of the Russian occupation army among the residents of the city of Kherson through the prism of oral history

2025-09-16T06:33:46+03:00

The article is dedicated to highlighting the image of the military of the Russian occupation army that was formed among the residents of the city of Kherson during the 2022 occupation period. The methodological basis of the research became oral history. This made it possible to focus on the life stories of narrators with different experiences and levels of life stability. What was experienced by the residents of the temporarily occupied city turned out to be an unexpected event for everyone and had an impact on their further lives. The authors relied on fresh memories, as their advantage lies in the important potential for reconstructing events, the image of the occupiers, and studying the experience. By recording the narratives of witnesses of contemporary events, we are dealing with factual and documentarily valuable interviews, which constitute the source base and will not be preserved in archives, while simultaneously providing researchers with answers to atypical questions. The article reveals the image of the Russian occupation army's military in many dimensions: the rules of life that the Russian military introduced in the occupied city; how local residents went through checks at checkpoints; observations of the military, how they behaved with civilians; how communication with the occupiers took place, with what difficulties they had to face during departure; how the Russian military conducted searches, detentions, arrests, and interrogations; how they abused civilians, keeping them in basements. The plots that the authors focus on could not be captured by photo and video cameras, and therefore the only way to learn about them is through documented interviews with eyewitnesses of these events. In the conclusions, it is emphasized that the Russian occupiers were remembered by local residents as wild, uncivilized tribes from the east, who were aggressive towards the peaceful civilian population. They tried with all their might to build a "russkiy mir" in Kherson and to show in their media that Kherson residents were happy with this situation. However, this was completely contrary to reality, as the population of Kherson was extremely negative about this alien element that destroyed the city's natural development. The image of the occupiers was exceptionally negative, as they destroyed the existing communication systems and infrastructure, mocked the civilian population, shot at and dispersed peaceful protest rallies, and banned freedom of speech, etc. The unique experience of the struggle of the self-organized civilian population is highlighted, as it conveys the essence of the resistance to Russian military aggression. In general, the article reveals numerous details of people's unique experiences under occupation: the atmosphere of occupation, the crimes of Russian troops, the torture of the civilian population, and the defense of their rights and freedoms by the Kherson residents, including the right to a Ukrainian future.

Collective Memory in Ukraine as a Factor in Identity Formation in the Context of Postmodernity

2025-07-02T17:06:17+03:00

This article explores the problem of collective memory as a foundation for the construction of Ukrainian collective identity. The authors argue that identity formation in the postmodern era is characterized by personalization, flexibility, and the ambivalent influence of globalization. The study demonstrates that Ukrainian collective memory represents a polyphony of interpretations rather than a homogeneous reflection of the past. Its competitive and composite nature is conceptualized not as a weakness, but as a source of pluralism, adaptability, and potential for critical re-evaluation. Accordingly, memory politics in Ukraine is presented as an active process of shaping a desired society. The article emphasizes that in the context of postmodernity and the Russian-Ukrainian war, collective identity in Ukraine is transforming into a dynamic, flexible, and personalized project. This process strongly correlates with Michel Foucault’s concepts of the "technologies of the self," which in the Ukrainian context evolve into ethical, cultural, and historical practices, shaping collective identity as a reflexive and open construction. Through war, memory, and solidarity, Ukrainian society not only defends its statehood but also creates a new moral and symbolic reality, where the personal and national, ethical and aesthetic, private and political are inextricably intertwined. The construction of a distinct national narrative and Ukraine’s postcolonial awakening are shown to be accompanied by the formation of unique historical conceptions, the affirmation of the Ukrainian language, the emphasis on European values, and the deconstruction of shared Russian-Ukrainian myths.

Dromology of Nihilism: Capitalism, Acceleration, Thinking

2025-07-01T15:08:50+03:00

The purpose of the article is to study the relationship between nihilism and acceleration in the conditions of late capitalism. The nihilistic essence of accelerating reality, which is initiated by the intensive dynamics of the innovative economy, is revealed. It is shown that in the space dominated by capitalism, nihilism unfolds as a force of emancipation, which makes it impossible to turn to authority, values or tradition in the secular world. On the contrary, such treatment only masks real nihilism under the mask of fighting it. The article considers options for determining modernity based on nihilism, war and thought. The assumption is justified, according to which, in the conditions of turning speed and mobility into new definitions of freedom, slowing down the work of thinking is able to neutralize the nihilistic potential for accelerating information and digital reality. Modern nihilism no longer involves the implementation of the project of reappraisal of values, it turns the desert as a embodied human ability to be meaningless and absent, as an ideal scheme of annihilation of human individuality, desolation (devastation), which destroys the future and presupposes atrophy of cultural memory.

The problem of justice and the duty of a warrior in the interpretation of the Bhagavad-Gita

2025-06-29T21:23:32+03:00

The article examines the problem of justice and the duty of the warrior in the interpretation of the "Bhagavad-Gita" - a sacred text that is part of the Indian epic "Mahabharata." Particular attention is given to issues related to life, death, and the fulfillment of duty, i.e., following one's dharma, which should ultimately lead to spiritual perfection and liberation from samsara (the cycle of birth and death). The central element of the "Bhagavad Gita" is the discussion of the problems of war and peace, presented through the dialogue between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The authors of the article analyze the philosophical reflections presented in the "Bhagavad-Gita" on how a person can find peace and satisfaction in a world full of conflicts by following true yoga.

The article points out that the "Bhagavad Gita" also draws attention to the moral aspects of war, emphasizing the importance of a just struggle. Krishna teaches that the struggle must be just and that the sacrifices of war should not be in vain. Krishna explains to Arjuna that fighting is not an immoral act if it is done in accordance with the duty (dharma) of a warrior. The duty of a warrior is to protect truth and righteousness, even if it requires participating in battle. Krishna emphasizes that war should be the result of higher goals, such as restoring justice and order, and not for personal ambitions, profit, or revenge.

The article emphasizes that the war in the "Bhagavad-Gita" is viewed as a necessary part of the universal process, in which it is important for everyone to impeccably fulfill their duty, following their dharma, without attachment to the results of their actions, doing everything as an offering to God. The article emphasizes that the war in the "Bhagavad Gita" is a multifaceted symbol that encompasses not only the external physical battle but also the internal struggle of each person for self-awareness, true understanding of their dharma, and spiritual liberation. The publication also conveys the idea that in the context of the "Bhagavad-Gita," war represents not just a physical conflict, but a symbol of spiritual struggle. The external conflict is merely a reflection of the internal, spiritual one. The entire "Bhagavad Gita" can be perceived as an allegory of a person's struggle with their own passions, attachments, illusions, and delusions.

The article draws parallels between the teachings of the "Bhagavad Gita" and the issues of the contemporary Russian-Ukrainian war. The Russian-Ukrainian war is examined in the context of the "Bhagavad Gita" through several key concepts of this classic Indian sacred text. Particular attention is drawn to the fact that in the "Bhagavad-Gita," special emphasis is placed on ethics, the fulfillment of duty (dharma), the struggle between good and evil, as well as the issue of inner conflict and the importance of spiritual choice, even in the most challenging situations.

Formation of national identity: cultural narratives of Ukrainian history

2025-06-29T12:37:54+03:00

The article is dedicated to exploring the impact of narratives on national identity. It examines key approaches to understanding national identity, the factors shaping its formation, and the processes of its transformation amid globalization and contemporary hybrid challenges. Particular attention is given to the Ukrainian context, specifically the role of national identity in the conditions of armed conflict and informational influence.
The study employs a range of philosophical methods, including historical-philosophical analysis, hermeneutics, dialectics, phenomenology, and critical analysis within a constructivist paradigm, enabling the tracing of the evolution of the identity concept. It is established that in Ukraine, given its postcolonial past and ongoing war, Ukrainocentric narratives of unity, resilience, and pro-Western orientation prevail over destructive Russian narratives, fostering societal consolidation, integration of internally displaced persons, and mobilization of the diaspora. However, challenges such as bilingualism, media fragmentation, and intergenerational gaps complicate the formation of a cohesive «we-identity». The study concludes that the conscious construction and sup-port of national identity as a component of national security and cultural distinctiveness are necessary, through the development of harmonized narratives, promotion of Ukraini-an-language content, media literacy, and inclusive practices.

Religious Studies Education as a Factor of Societal Religious Security in the Context of Russia's Hybrid War

2025-06-26T13:12:37+03:00

The article is devoted to analyzing the role of religious studies education as one of the key instruments of religious security in countering Russia's religious informational propaganda in its contemporary hybrid wars. It's noted that under the conditions of the ongoing military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the hybrid reli-gious war has become particularly acute, serving as a component of the broader hybrid strategy of the aggressor state. This type of influence is characterized by the combina-tion of religious narratives with means of informational-psychological pressure, cyber operations, and systematic support of religious institutions by Russian state structures. The primary goal of such actions is to undermine the internal stability of Ukrainian society, incite interconfessional hostility, delegitimize spiritual unity, and sacralize war by justifying it through pseudo-religious rhetoric. The significance of religious security as an important component of national security is emphasized, which should be understood as a multi-vector category that combines spiritual-cultural, legal, security, and socio-political dimensions aimed at achieving religious stability and civil peace. Religious se-curity is a component of overall societal security and the cultural-spiritual environment, encompassing legal, social, educational, informational, moral-ethical, and political aspects of regulating religious relations. The research is based on the results of a survey of Ukrainian university students, which revealed that the overwhelming majority of re-spondents (two-thirds) positively perceive the necessity of introducing educational courses on religious security and religious studies that would help better understand contemporary challenges in the religious sphere. Among learning formats, online cours-es, electronic libraries, and podcasts are popular, as they provide opportunities to acquire knowledge in an informal environment, at convenient times for listeners, in connec-tion with current events, discussions, interfaith dialogues, or social transformations.

Transformation of understanding of justice in the context of the problem of social equality: a philosophical analysis

2025-06-18T13:01:55+03:00

The article is devoted to the analysis of the category of “justice” through the prism of the problem of social equality. It is noted that in the pre-modern naturalistic paradigm of philosophizing, where the main narratives were the correspondence of the social order to the eternal natural law, justice was associated with inequality and the principle of hierar-chy. Moreover, just hierarchy concerned both the internal spiritual qualities of the person himself, where reason should rule over passions, and the gender-social organization of society, where a man is superior to a woman, a Greek is superior to a barbarian, and so on. Within the framework of this naturalistic paradigm Plato`s and Aristotle’s approving attitude towards slavery should be understood, because from their point of view the soul itself can be slavish and cowardly by nature or, conversely, brave and freedom-loving. In the medieval paradigm of philosophizing, the conceptual connection of jus-tice-inequality is preserved; however, philosophers appeal more to divine law and divine justice. It is noted that in this epoch did emerge the concept of a “just war” as a sacred moral duty to protect the innocent. This concept of a just war remains relevant to this day, in Ukrainian military realities. In the era of the Enlightenment, with the advent of the new European paradigm of philosophizing, where the emphasis is on the rational subject and his will to power, justice began to be understood precisely as equality, as evi-denced by the philosophical tradition begun by I. Kant and continued in the twentieth century in the theories of justice of J. Rawls and J. Habermas.

Religious institutions in the transformation processes of Ukrainian identity in wartime conditions

2025-06-09T21:31:46+03:00

The article analyses the transformation of religiosity in Ukrainian society in the context of a full-scale war caused by the russian invasion. Against the backdrop of general European secularisation, the Ukrainian case demonstrates not a decline but, on the contrary, a revitalisation of the religious factor as a source of moral mobilisation, social support, and collective solidarity. The author demonstrates how war transforms the role of religion, extending its functions beyond ritual and institutional life into the realms of practical service, spiritual and psychological care, and humanitarian activity. Based on sociological data, the article examines the dynamics of public trust in the Church, regional and confessional characteristics of religious behaviour, as well as citizens’ expectations regarding the role of religious institutions. Examples of institutional adaptation and social service by the UGCC and the OCU are considered. The author emphasises that religiosity in wartime takes on an inclusive public dimension, contributing to healing, restoration and strengthening of national identity. The Ukrainian experience is seen as a potentially universal model of religion’s response to existential challenges, relevant also to other contexts of global instability.

The author analyses religious transformations in Ukrainian society against the backdrop of a full-scale war with russia, focusing on changing attitudes towards the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) as a religious structure affiliated with the aggressor state. The author considers the patterns of rejection of pro-russian church institutions as part of a broader trend towards the affirmation of Ukrainian identity, the strengthening of national unity, and the pursuit of spiritual and political sovereignty. Considerable attention is paid to the analysis of draft law No. 8371, the reaction of international religious leaders, in particular Pope Francis, as well as the position of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which demonstrates an example of moral autonomy and responsible theological discourse. The text critically examines the concept of political orthodoxy as a form of quasi-religious thinking that legitimises the imperial ideology of the russian world through religious structures. The author uses the analytical category of sect to describe the activities of the UOC (MP), arguing that it is characterised by closedness, authoritarianism, ideological pressure and manipulative influence. The article highlights the need for a delicate balance between protecting national security and guaranteeing religious freedom, emphasising the socially significant role of the Church as a source of solidarity, ethical guidance and hope in times of war.

Dialogue as an Educational Principle in the "Philosophy of History" Course to Overcome Conflicts of Historical Memory in the Context of Ukraine's Humanitarian Security

2025-04-12T11:06:59+03:00

The article examines the essence of dialogue and its potential application for mit-igating and/or overcoming conflicts of historical memory. Recognizing education as the foundation for social cohesion in Ukraine, the practical dimension demonstrates how Philosophy of History can be taught through dialogue and applied as a principle of social unity in addressing complex issues of historical memory and overcoming historical traumas. Such dialogue should entail: prior rational processing of historical memory content; mechanisms for overcoming opposing viewpoints; the establish-ment of a communicative space for discussing historical memory; re-evaluation of one's own "Self" and the critical analysis of personal views and beliefs, as well as one's historical memory; concessions and self-restraint in the perception of differing positions among communication participants; and the creation of consensus through the re-evaluation of alternative perspectives on historical events. Conflicts of histori-cal memory unfold across various dimensions and can be classified as: interstate; intrastate; between different social groups; and between specific social groups and the academic community. In the context of ensuring humanitarian security in Ukraine and addressing conflicts of historical memory, it is important to consider that after the war, three primary variants of social dialogue are likely to be observed within Ukrainian society: consensus as voluntary favorable attitude towards realities; inclu-sion as the opportunity for free expression of opinions; and participation as the realization of one's own ideas by interested social actors. The dominant variant form of dialogue regarding historical memory will depend on the monopoly of the current power structure, the strength of civil society, and the specifics of the social dialogue between them.

The religious factor of the Jagiellonian idea: historical origins and present-day realities

2025-03-30T22:30:57+03:00

The article reveals the impact of the Jagiellonian idea on the development of Ukrainian culture and religion, which has deep historical roots and remains relevant in the current political and cultural realities. The author examines the peculiarities of the formation of the Jagiellonian concept formulated in the period of greatness of the Polish-Lithuanian state. The peculiarity of the political system under the rule of the Jagiellons was the ability to ensure the effective functioning of religious diversity. The Jagiellonian concept promoted the idea of creating a multinational community with a center in Poland, which included Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Belarusian and other peoples. The Jagiellonian idea promoted cultural exchange, the introduction of new religious ideas, and became an important factor in the formation of Ukrainian spiritual identity in the context of active interaction between Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Greek Catholicism. The Jagiellonian idea actively promoted education, which contributed to the preservation and spread of the Orthodox tradition. In particular, the activities of fraternal schools provided access to Western culture while supporting the Ukrainian spiritual heritage. This allowed the Ukrainian church to expand its influence and preserve its uniqueness. The article focuses on the fact that the study of the Jagiellonian idea allows us to trace its influence on the formation of modern approaches to interstate cooperation and support for Ukraine's sovereignty in the context of geopolitical instability. The transition from these ideas to the concept of the Three Seas is a natural step, since the Three Seas Initiative seeks to unite the countries of Central and Eastern Europe into a bloc that would help strengthen their independence and develop economic, political and energy cooperation. The author emphasizes that the idea of the Three Seas, supported by many European countries, in turn, underlines the desire for a stronger and more independent Central and Eastern Europe, where Ukraine should play a key role as an important strategic partner. However, the diversity of manifestations of this idea and the different interpretations of its implementation demonstrate the complexity of how to achieve genuine tolerance and unity in the face of multiple political and religious influences.

New Age as a form of individual religiosity

2025-03-30T22:04:26+03:00

The article discusses features of individual religiosity in the context of the New Age Movement. In modern society, the structure of religiosity is undergoing significant changes as traditional religious institutions face problems with a rise in non-institutional forms of spirituality. One of the main factors contributing to the growth of non -institutional religion is the growth of secularization of society. It was this process that led to a decrease in the influence and authority of traditional religion and contributed to the revival of new ways of actualizing religiosity. The New Age Movement, combining ele-ments of different religions, philosophy, and practices, becomes a kind of an answer to this issue. The authors draw attention to key religious and spiritual tendencies that affect the individual beliefs and practices of the Movement’s participants. The philosophical, social and cultural, as well as psychological aspects of this phenomenon are analyzed. The influential factors that contribute to the emergence and development of the New Age Movement, as well as the Movement’s place and role in the modern religious landscape are discussed. The authors argue that the New Age Movement is a form of non-institutional religiosity and as such is a unifying idea for those forms of religiosity that do not fall under the paradigm of institutional religiosity. The authors argue that the in-tersections of spirituality and morality in the New Age Movement and non-institutional religions create both opportunities and problems. While this Movement offers people the freedom to explore different spiritual paths and ethical dilemmas, it also raises ques-tions regarding the nature of moral authority and the possibility of reaching a consensus on ethical principles.