Philosophy of Religion

In the biblical passage of Is. 56, 3-7 the prophet establishes a profound connection between the eunuch and the stranger, figures traditionally excluded from the community of Israel, but whom God surprisingly welcomes into his people (in accordance with the universalistic perspective of the Trito Isaiah). In the patristic commentary this connection is mostly broken, and we specialize on the figure of the eunuch who, in the light of Jesus’ words on eunuchia (Mt. 19, 10-12), becomes a reference for a (...) new consideration of continence for the Kingdom. As prophesied by Isaiah, he who is not fruitful by nature, or rather by choice, is raised, by a divine gift, to a new generation: he is the dry wood that flowers and bears fruits. (shrink)

The quadripartite hermeneutics of John Cassian, based on the doctrine of Clement of Alexandria and Evagrius Ponticus, had sufficient echo in Greek and Arabic patristic literature, up to the ninth century, to be taken up by a Sufi master open to Christian influences such as Sahl Al-Tustari. Theodore Abu Qurrah, on the Christian side, and Dhū ‘l Nūn al-Misri, on the Muslim side, among others, are examined as possible bridges between the two traditions.

In this article we approach the question of philosophy and its relation to education in the Christian light of Gregory of Nazianzus. In particular, based on the example of Heron chosen by the Cappadocian Father, we follow the presentation and discussion of the principles, both on theoretical and practical level, which should govern the thought and life of the man who is active in the capacity of a Christian and a philosopher within society. These principles gradually constitute a genuine proposal (...) for a philosophical way of being and education, in the context of which Christianity can make eclectic use of Ancient Greek thought. The predominant thing that is formed is a concrete Christian Ethics directly intertwined with Christian Metaphysics, which is considered to be able to define Anthropology in all its aspects. (shrink)

The A. compares the psalmus contra partem Donati, written by Augustin about 394, with the anonymous psalmus responsorius from a papyrus preserved in the Benedictine abbey in Montserrat, near Barcelona, under the shelf mark P.Monts.Roca inv. 128-178, dating maybe to the mid-IV century AD, from which only the strophes from A to L are complete. Particularly, he focuses on four lines before the acrostic strophes, whose reading is very controversial, and whose prosody he presents as different from the common one, (...) restoring it fully to its function of hypopsalma: Páter qui ómnia régis péto / Chrísti nós sciás herédes / Chrístus uérbo nátus pér quem pópulús est líberátus. (shrink)

In this article, I challenge Shanzer’s treatment of the relationship between Varro’s Disciplinarum libri and Augustine’s early disciplinary project, in which she argued that «squeamishness» with the personifications that supposedly characterized Varro’s disc. caused Augustine to abandon the disciplines. I consequently outline a more plausible view of the development of Augustine’s thought. He did not abandon the disciplines or become «hostile» to them in his later career, as Shanzer and others have concluded. Instead, he reoriented them towards the study of (...) Scripture, while maintaining the importance of a truly liberal education in pursuit of the knowledge of God. (shrink)

In this study, metrical clauses are used to analyze the critical reconstruction and rhetorical scheme of Tertullian’s treatise on prayer as a preliminary study to an edition of the work. In the first part, the description and frequency of the clauses of the De oratione is presented, followed by an analysis of some variants of the text from the metrical point of view, and then a study of the clauses in the biblical quotations and in the translation of the paternoster (...) offered by Tertullian. As a culmination of the Paper, the structure of the treatise is analyzed from the distribution of the most frequent metrical clauses. A final appendix contains the clauses of the treatise. (shrink)

The aim of the following research is to investigate the epistolary of Cyprian of Carthage, in order to analyze whether and to what extent the military lexicon used by the African prelate had an «aggregating» value in a delicate period for the Church (252-254), marked by the persecution of Trebonius Gallus and the spread of the plague. We hypothesize a subtle but substantial difference in the regular use of miles Christi between the letters of 250-251 and those after 252 as (...) if leader Cyprian, initially heir to the scriptural tradition (especially Pauline), from Epistle 57 onwards reworks the concept of Christian militancy with a more social purpose, trying to counter, through an unconcealed call to (spiritual) arms, social disintegration with a communicative style typical of a legion commander. (shrink)

St. Augustine initially discovered the Bible through Manichaean eyes, but later engaged in intense anti-Manichaean polemics largely centered on the Old Testament. To shed light on what Augustine learned about the Manichaean approach to the OT during his Manichaean youth, this study gathers and analyzes relevant excerpts from De Genesi aduersus Manichaeos, De moribus ecclesiae catholicae et de moribus Manichaeorum, and Augustine’s testimonies about his Manichaean years in Confessions and De agone christiano. It is shown that Augustine the Manichaean gained (...) extensive knowledge of the Manichaean biblical criticism and was well versed in the Manichaean arguments and polemical strategies. Notwithstanding his own polemical remarks, Augustine was well aware that the Manichaeans did not reject the OT outright and used some vetero-testamentary narratives in their own teaching. The paper also discusses written and oral sources of Augustine’s knowledge of the Manichaean position. (shrink)

The goal of our research is in the first place (I) to delve into the theological characterization of Christianity in relation and contrast to Judaism according to Justin’s testimony. Secondly (II), we will deal with the data that the martyr offers from the historico-sociological point of view about the Christianity and Judaism of his time and the relationship between them, interpreting them and putting them in connection with Justin’s theological characterization previously examined. Finally (III), we will assess the position that (...) Justin adopts towards the Jews and towards his teachers. In this paper, we will develop section I. Sections II and III will be presented in another paper in the next number of this same journal. (shrink)

The article presents the historical path of the exegesis of Is 53:8 from the pre-Nicene authors to the fourth-century Trinitarian controversy. It dwells particularly on the epistemological use of the verse in the Trinitarian sphere: it notes the argumentative structure coined around it by Irenaeus of Lyons against Valentinian speculations, and considers its subsequent history of effects on various fronts of the Trinitarian controversy.

Purpose: This study examines the interrelations between religious commitment, spirituality, and employee well-being in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with an emphasis on the serial mediating roles of the strength of religious faith and career calling. The integration of these variables is aimed at providing a more profound understanding of how intrinsic personal values influence psychological and emotional well-being in the workplace. Method: A cross-sectional design was used with data from 248 employees working in different departments across Saudi Arabia. The (...) measurement of the constructs was based on validated scales used in earlier research. Data were analyzed using Stata for SEM to check the hypothesized relationships as well as to check the mediation effects. Results: Thereby, the results revealed that religious commitment and spirituality are positively contributing to psychological and emotional employee’s well-being. All these relations are significantly mediated by religious faith and career calling. Findings highlight the salience of intrinsic values and purpose work, with the serial mediation model that shows robust explanatory power. Originality/Implication: This study advances theoretical frameworks by linking spirituality, faith, and professional purpose to well-being. It offers practical implications for organizations by bringing up the need for supportive environments accommodating religious and spiritual dimensions at the workplace, which increases the general satisfaction and performance in a workplace. (shrink)

Философский анализ сущности информации и ее отношения к материи. Материалистическая концепция информационного познания мира .

The Italian semiotician and novelist Umberto Eco (1932-2016) offered an insightful interpretation of Thomas Aquinas' thought on beauty. Eco's book, translated into English in 1988, is considered an authoritative source of reflection on the subject and has been widely cited by those who have focused on Aquinas' aesthetics in recent decades. In this article, I first assess the depth and richness of Eco's interpretation, including his critique of Aquinas' view. I then reject this critique by arguing that Aquinas' reflection on (...) beauty is grounded in his theological interests, the connections of which with his aesthetic views are overlooked by Eco. (shrink)

The philosophy of superdeterminism is based on a single scientific fact about the universe, namely that cause and effect in physics are not real. In 2020, accomplished Swedish theoretical physicist, Dr. Johan Hansson published a physics proof using Albert Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity that our universe is superdeterministic meaning a predetermined static block universe without cause and effect in physics. The unity of our universe originates from its creation from the same nothingness under the zero energy universe theory. However, (...) nothingness cannot actually cause a universe to exist on its own under superdeterminism due to the absence of cause and effect in physics. Moreover, nothingness is the absence of anything real and cannot logically be the reality underlying our universe. Consequently, our universe must exist from the reality of the logic or Logos underlying our physical reality resulting from the origination of our universe from the same nothingness or common creation. (shrink)

This essay explores the recurring archetype of forbidden knowledge across ancient civilizations, myths, and speculative history, drawing connections between secret societies, religious texts, and cultural symbolism. Beginning with the concept of hidden oligarchies influencing humanity’s development, the analysis examines the notion of advanced groups—such as the biblical Watchers and Sumerian Anunnaki—who shared forbidden knowledge with humanity, often at great cost. The narrative delves into the parallels between Prometheus’s defiance in Greek mythology and the serpent’s role in the Edenic narrative, suggesting (...) that these stories may echo a deeper historical truth about humanity’s sudden leap in societal complexity. Further, the essay analyzes the Minoan serpent goddess and considers Eve as a potential historical figure deified over time. Ultimately, the essay reflects on the persistent theme of enlightenment and the consequences of seeking hidden truths, inviting readers to question who holds knowledge and what sacrifices are made in its pursuit. (shrink)

Many contemporary philosophers have presumed that the doctrine of evil as privation simply means that there can be no evils that count as positive realities. However, this interpretation is naive, and does not cohere well with the Christian theological tradition, especially the work of Augustine, who is widely regarded as the touchstone proponent of the doctrine. The goal of this paper is to clarify the more nuanced, teleological meaning of the doctrine of “evil as privation,” as well as to establish (...) a useful conceptual division between genuine evils of privation (“depraved privations”) and harmless privations (“mere privations”). Additionally, I discuss four challenges to evil as privation: that it entails the inherent evil of all creatures, that the normative property “evil” is itself a positive reality, that it makes no sense to speak of non-existence as a deprivation, and that any attempt to refine the doctrine renders it trivial and vacuous. Finally, I close out the paper by showing that there is still a fifth, unresolved problem facing the more nuanced, teleological version of the doctrine: that it requires us to make significant recalibrations to very tender-hearted and loving moral intuitions. (shrink)

This comparative study of music education in Germany, the United States, and China revealed significant cross-cultural variations in core values, teaching methodologies, learning environments, musical philosophies, and performance practices. A common thread across all three countries was the recognition of music's importance in education, though its role and implementation differed markedly. German music education emphasized holistic development (Bildung), with a strong focus on music theory, formal analysis, and historical performance practices. The teacher-student relationship was collaborative, and assessment was holistic. In (...) contrast, the United States exhibited a diverse landscape of music education, prioritizing individual expression, creativity, and a variety of teaching methodologies. Assessment methods were pluralistic, reflecting the country's emphasis on individual growth. Chinese music education was deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy, emphasizing moral cultivation, social harmony, and technical proficiency. Rote learning and imitation were prevalent teaching methods, with a strong emphasis on traditional repertoire and performance. The teacher-student relationship was hierarchical, and assessment focused on standardized examinations. While all three countries utilized music technology to varying degrees, Germany demonstrated a balanced integration, the United States embraced it widely, and China adopted it primarily for supplementary learning. Notably, the role of performance differed significantly, with Germany emphasizing its centrality to musicianship, the USA focusing on its expressive potential, and China viewing it as a validation of achievement. (shrink)

The research aims to determine cross-cultural virtue ethics. A virtuous culture is most significantly an emotion-related thing consisting of trust, community, and meaning. It is that platform where all the interrelationships can form new advancements and implementations with the caliber of maximizing principles for all collaborators within a community. The research study also analyses moral philosophies across global indigenous societies. Certain suggestions presented by virtue ethics involve the treatment of teachers just like they are lifelong projects. Teachers are those personalities (...) that can change and inspire us from the situation where we are. The research was based on secondary data for determining the research using E-views software and generating results that included descriptive, unit root, variance, and co-integration analysis between them. The objective of this term is not to formulate and build those ethically perfect virtues and consider them perfect without any thought. Instead, do those virtues that can provide such a screen that can make us see the world without any ambiguity and judge things in the most improved way. Overall, the result found that moral philosophies show a direct and significant link with global indigenous societies. Virtue ethics is a term that provides the best understanding of virtuous human beings. This proves to be a good guide for us so that we can live our lives without any specified rules and provide solutions to all those problems based on ethics. (shrink)

Our study explored the application of emotion philosophy in vocal music teaching. We utilized surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions to gather data from a group of 18 students. The survey results revealed an average familiarity with emotion philosophy concepts but a strong agreement on the importance of understanding a song's emotions for effective singing. Students perceived their current vocal training to be somewhat helpful in understanding emotional background but felt it focused more on technical skills than fostering emotional (...) connection. Thematic analysis of interview data highlighted several key themes. Students emphasized the importance of imagination and storytelling techniques to connect with a song's emotions. Additionally, they valued understanding the historical context of a work and viewed developing emotional intelligence as beneficial. Integrating philosophical frameworks on emotional expression was seen as a way to gain a deeper understanding of vocal performance. In terms of vocal techniques, timbre variations were seen as a powerful tool for emotional expression. Nuances in dynamics and phrasing were viewed as ways to create specific emotions, and clear articulation was considered important for ensuring listeners grasped the lyrical message and connected with the song's emotional core. Overall, this study suggests that incorporating emotion philosophy concepts and techniques into vocal training has the potential to enhance students' understanding and expression of emotions in their singing. (shrink)

The primary aim of research is to explore the complex relationships in the digital era between technology, culture, aesthetics, and values. This investigation digs deeply into the underlying philosophical underpinnings of our digital environment, going beyond superficial interpretations. The research negotiates the tricky territory where technology and culture collide by drawing on concepts from philosophy, sociology, and cultural studies. For measuring, the research study, used E-Views software and generated results, including descriptive statistics, unit root test analysis, co-integration analysis, and histogram (...) analysis. The investigation starts with investigate at digital aesthetics and how it might influence how people see beauty and usefulness in the digital sphere. Digital aesthetics are demonstrated to encapsulate cultural narratives and societal ideals through everything from immersive experiences to minimalist interfaces. The main emerging theme is ethical considerations, which invites critical thought on algorithmic prejudice, privacy, and spying. The research pushes readers to think about the moral ramifications of technical decisions by challenging the ideals ingrained in technological systems. The research goes beyond personal ethics to include more general cultural norms and societal values issues. It has been demonstrated that digital technologies alter societal conceptions of identity, community, and human flourishing, forcing society to reconsider the future it hopes to build. Overall, research found that technology philosophy provides a framework for moral analysis and cultural criticism, enabling people and society to wisely and preemptively negotiate the challenges of the digital era. Through the adoption of a technological philosophy rooted in critical analysis and cultural sensitivity, readers are encouraged to envisage and work towards a digital future that is more equitable, kind, and loving. (shrink)

This study delves into the philosophical dimensions of the art market in the digital age, examining how historical identity intertwines with contemporary value. Using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and case study analysis, the research investigates the strategic invocation of historical identity by artists to enhance the cultural and monetary worth of their digital creations. Findings reveal that established reputations in the traditional art world and the recontextualization of cultural artifacts—such as iconic historical events or artistic movements—significantly influence the perceived (...) value of digital artworks. For instance, algorithmic art and daily creation processes evoke deeper narratives that resonate with historical art traditions. The study also highlights the role of blockchain technology and NFTs in ensuring authenticity, fostering trust, and redefining ownership models. Scarcity, through limited editions or unique variations, further amplifies the perceived value of digital art. Artists like Beeple leverage their pre-digital careers and innovative techniques to command substantial market attention, while works such as Grimes’s "The Persistence of Chaos" illustrate the influence of celebrity on value creation. The research underscores the philosophical and cultural significance of digital art, exploring how historical identity and technological innovation converge to shape contemporary artistic value systems within a globalized digital marketplace. (shrink)