Ideas and Ideals

This article addresses one of the key textual problems in Empedocles’ legacy: the localization of fragment B 115 D-K, which contains the doctrine of guilt, exile, and the reincarnation of daimon. Challenging the attribution of this fragment to the poem “Purifi cations,” which has been established since Diels, the study offers a new interpretation of it in the context of “Physics.” Based on the analysis of the internal argumentation of Empedocles’ verses, it is proven that the philosopher’s self-presentation as a suffering and guilty daimon in B 115 is logically and substantively incompatible with his image as a revered immortal god in fragment B 112, which traditionally opens the “Purifi cations.” This comparison is a decisive argument against their belonging to the same poem. An analysis of the evidence from ancient authors (Hippolytus, Simplicius, Plutarch) shows that they do not provide clear grounds for attributing B 115, while the data from the Strasbourg papyrus confi rm the presence of the theme of personal guilt and suffering in the fi rst book of Physics. On this basis, it is proposed to consider fragment B 115 as part of an extensive prologue to Physics, where the personal experience of the philosopher-daimon serves as a starting point for the exposition of universal cosmological principles.

It is generally accepted that Lucien Levy-Bruhl not only developed James Frazer’s idea of t wo laws of sympathetic magic by combining them into the law of participation, but also, in opposition to the evolutionary anthropological concept of phylogenetic intellectual development, formulated a sociological concept of a collective drive to seek animistic causality (mystical mentality), which determines the existence of the law of participation. In this article, we will demonstrate the fallacy of the main tenets of Lucien Levy-Bruhl’s concept of mystical mentality.

The aim of the study: (1) to demonstrate the inconsistency of Lucien LevyBruhl’s sociological presupposition regarding the existence of the phenomenon of prelogical thinking; (2) to demonstrate the erroneousness of Lucien LevyBruhl’s interpretation of the contagious magical law.

The objectives of the study are: (1) to demonstrate the inability of the mystical mentality to accommodate the mechanism of transition from the mystical to the logical mentality; (2) to demonstrate the incorrelativity of the tendency to search for animistic causality of the mystical mentality and the law of participation; (3) to demonstrate that the law of participation develops the principle of homeopathic magic, but is not capable of explaining the principle of contagious magic of James Frazer.

The novelty of the study: (1) through the biological deconstruction of Charles Peirce’s semiotics, we will distinguish two modes of indexical association in the form of a motivated (linguistic index) and an unmotivated (epistemological Secondary) index, which will allow us to distinguish between the functions of the contagious aspect of Lucien Levy-Bruhl’s law of participation and the functions of James Frazer’s law of contagious magic; (2) we will present a new principle of the functioning of James Frazer’s contagious magic.

This article introduces a hermeneutic model of triple meaning encoding developed on post-nonclassical methodology. The model aims to overcome the static nature of structural-semantic approaches that describe understanding as extracting ready-made meaning. The organization logic of sign-based text – text, author, intention – lets the reader view it as a trinity of spaces with increasing organizational complexity: the space of signs, the semiotic space of knowledge, and the semantic space of subjectively significant meanings. As a mental construct, the semantic space reproduces this organizational logic and simultaneously takes on three forms: 1) sign-based, 2) social, and 3) subjective. Knowledge is a constructed model of the subject’s life-world, while meanings imply a reflective evaluation of the reconstructed knowledge that holds subjective significance. Our model treats understanding as a recursive meaning-generating process where readers circulate meaning between three functional word modes: concept (within the reader’s discourse), category (a trigger that starts context restructuring for the reader), and meta-category (a semantic tuning fork that aligns interpretation with the author’s intention). This process unfolds as movement along a hermeneutic spiral: from pre-understanding through contextual analysis to anticipating the author’s design with subsequent interpretation correction. Each spiral turn transforms the subject’s semantic space, which simultaneously serves as tool, process, and result of understanding. The model’s scientific novelty lies in moving from static meaning reconstruction to dynamic, pragmatic-hermeneutic processuality. This approach shows that understanding produces not only extracted meaning but also subject self-development through reflexive restructuring of their semantic space. Thus, the focus shifts from reconstructing text content to developing the reader’s semantic competence – their ability to anticipate meaning and, consequently, to achieve reflexive self-development by improving their understanding tool.

This article presents an analysis of the emergence and development of the concept of transgression in philosophy, particularly in relation to the formation of the subject. The author explores the main factors that contributed to the emergence of this concept. Drawing on the ideas of Georges Bataille and Michel Foucault, the author examines how transgression connects to notions of prohibition, limits, and the sacred. The article delineates the relationship between transgression and fundamental aspects of human existence, such as eroticism and death, suggesting that familiarity with these themes illuminates the discontinuities in human life. It highlights both the continuity and distinctions in the approaches of Bataille and Foucault regarding transgression: for Bataille, it is associated with a temporary lifting of prohibitions, whereas for Foucault, it signifies a definitive overcoming of limits. The author concludes that Bataille’s and Foucault’s approaches can be viewed as two different perspectives: the cultura lanthropological and the ontological. The article also discusses the ‘bestial’ aspect that Bataille describes as the ‘Other’ within the self, proposing that authenticity in existence may be achieved through acts of transgression. Additionally, the article reveals the connection between transgression and the phenomenon of ‘guilty pleasure,’ emphasizing the social significance of transgressive acts as violations of prohibitions in the presence of the Other. For the first time, the role of the unconscious in transgression is considered, with transgression being described as foundational to the development of the subject. The author proposes a novel way of conceptualizing the subject, suggesting that individuals can redefine their foundations through acts of transgression. The central role of metanoia – changes in consciousness – is elucidated as a crucial event in transgression and its enabling conditions. Furthermore, the potential application of the concept of transgression to human cognitive development theory is explored. Ultimately, the author concludes that the concept of transgression can be utilized in various ways, underscoring its complexity and heuristic potential within contemporary philosophical discourse.

The article presents an analysis of the original concept of heliocentrism by A.L. Chizhevsky, set out in his scientifi c works. The scientist correlates the infl uence of solar energy with the factors of historical and social processes. According to his concept, the state of predisposition to the behavior of human masses is a function of the energetic activity of the Sun, the regular sharp rises of which transform potential psychic energy into the energy of action. Under the condition of mutual complementarity of natural and social factors, when a situation of “imaginary chaos” arises and certain laws begin to play a dominant role, heliotaraxis creates history. The article expresses the idea that Chizhevsky’s heliocentrism allowed not only to look at the Sun as the “pulse of the Earth”, but also to combine love for the subject of scientifi c research with poetry. His worldview is a cosmoplanetary all-unity, embodied in the integration of scientifi c ideas about the energy of the world with its artistic refl ection. The methodological basis of the study was the analysis of Chizhevsky’s theory of heliotaraxy, his idea of t he infl uence of solar activity on the course of the historical process. The fi rst and main conclusion is that despite the ambiguous attitude to Chizhevsky’s scientifi c works, he is the author of original philosophical works. Analysis of the scientist’s heliocentric ideas contributes to the understanding of his worldview, and, consequently, his entire creative heritage. This idea has every right to be recognized as one of the methods of understanding the world around us. It is worth noting that the interpreted philosophical views of Chizhevsky are not only of interest in themselves, as scientifi c theoretical research, but also have heuristic value for modern science. One of the main conclusions is the conclusion about Chizhevsky’s scientifi c courage, his devotion to his scientifi c ideas, his ability to search and assume, without fear of being caught in gross ignorance and ridiculed. 

The purpose of this article is to clarify the political views of the Eleatics. The relevance of this work stems from the paucity of research on this topic. Signifi cant gaps in the sources hinder the study of the political views of Xenophanes, Parmenides, Zeno, and Melissus. This article provides a historical reconstruction of the Eleatics’ political views based on biographical analysis and a contextual approach. It has been established that Xenophanes’ poetry contains criticism of tyranny and oligarchy. The arguments in favor of two versions of Parmenides’ party preferences are considered. The version of Parmenides’ democratic orientation is based on the reports of Strabo and Aristotle. A parallel is drawn between Elea and Taranto. Similarities in the social structure of both policies are noted. Based on information about the democratic structure of Taranto, an assumption is made about the democratic orientation of Parmenides’ state activities. The version of Parmenides’ aristocratic orientation is supported by Strabo’s report on the aristocratic state structure of Massalia. It is noted that this polis, like Elea, was founded in the Western Mediterranean by people from Phocaea. It is suggested that there were similarities in the state system between Elea and Massalia. It is shown that Parmenides’ legislative activity could have been aimed at creating strict laws in the sphere of morality and legal proceedings. It is established that reports of Zeno’s struggle against tyranny do not allow us to draw an unambiguous conclusion about his party affi liation. The version of Zeno’s commitment to the aristocracy does not have an advantage over the version of his democratic orientation. Based on the analysis of the political situation on the eve of and during the war between Samos and Athens, it is concluded that Melissus was a supporter of oligarchy or aristocracy. It is established that the idea of continuity in the party preferences of the Eleatics looks weak and unconvincing. At the same time, it is shown that all representatives of the Eleatic school were characterized by commitment to polis values. The views and activities of Xenophanes, Parmenides, Zeno and Melissus manifested polis patriotism, a high level of political activity, and the priority of the interests of the state over the interests of the citizen.

This paper is a preface to the translation of Johann Eberlin’s “Wolfaria” (1521) – the fi rst utopian text in Early Modern Era of continental Europe. J. Eberlin von Günzburg (c. 1460–1533) – religious reformer and thinker, humanist, translator. The article brings the brief analysis of his biography, social and political activities, as well as his writings. His ideas are subjected to the research in the context of reformation and humanist movement, they are linked to the views of the Wittenbergian reformist circle, the views and practices of radical reformers and the theories of the emerging utopian tradition of early Modernity. We point out the main stages of the development of eberlinian thought from radicalism to moderate views. Eberlinian utopianism is compared to the ideas of T. More, Ulrich von Hutten, J. Reichlin, Erasmus of Rotterdamm. Attention is paid to his attitudes towards social justice, property, education, humanistic studies and connection to early Lutheran views on the Christian state.

The paper also outlines the principal stages of the research of Eberlin’s writings and thinking from late 19-th to early 21-st centuries. We give also a brief survey of the translations of “Wolfaria” into European languages. The translation is provided with commentaries. This is the fi rst critical translation of “Wolfaria” into Russian.

The article is devoted to the processes of displacement of religion into the sphere of marginalized religiosity in the era of Modernity. The research based on various sources related to the given historical period. They include alchemical manuscripts, legal papers, scholarly writings as well as Russian and international studies of alchemy. The following scientifi c research methods were applied: textual, descriptive, comparative, biographical, systematic, etc. The article introduces the main fi ndings of the study. It shows that in Western Europe for a long time alchemical beliefs and practices were woven into everyday life. The marginalization of alchemy took a long period and ended only in the 18th century. This process of delimitation occurred despite the self-positioning of alchemists as pious believers, on the one hand, and despite their intellectual and social demand and actual support from the secular authorities, on the other. In the era of modern times pressure on alchemy came to be exerted both by offi cial Christianity, which did not accept alchemical teachings and practices that raised suspicions of witchcraft, and by scientifi c natural science, which rejected it because of its mythologized narrative and its attitude of secrecy about research. As a result, alchemy was marginalized not only in the religious sphere but also in secular cognition. The alchemical tradition is an eclectic combination of knowledge and skills, so it has a great capacity for adaptation. Because of these abilities, it was able to persist into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when alchemical elements began to be incorporated into various esoteric movements, mystical cults, art historical concepts, and so on. Nowadays, alchemy is still a marginalized phenomenon, closely associated with religion but not reducible to it. The results of the study are important for understanding the history of religion and the evolution of the relationship between religion and science.

One of the relevant and demanded areas of modern philosophical knowledge is the philosophy of education. When education is considered within the framework of socio-philosophical analysis as a social institution and a cultural phenomenon, attention is paid to its role in the creation and development of culture. The philosophy of education focuses on identifying the goals and principles of the educational systems, on determining pedagogical methods and their impact on the individual and society as a whole. The problem fi eld of the philosophy of education defines the object of study of pedagogical anthropology, which consists in identifying the meaning of the relationship between teacher and student, in understanding the role of the dialogue component in pedagogical work, and finally, the conceptualization of the anthropological program for the formation of the spiritual and physical health of the student. All of the above is the subject of this article. The source study base used the classical works of the pedagogical and philosophical-anthropological nature of the ancestor of Russian pedagogical anthropology K.D. Ushinsky, works on the problems of the pedagogical philosophy of Free education and education of the great Russian writer and teacher L.N. Tolstoy, as well as modern research literature of a socio-philosophical and philosophical-anthropological nature. The theoretical and methodological toolkit of the article is based on the application of the general scientific principle of historicism, which makes it possible to identify the dynamics in the analysis of the problems posed of a philosophical and educational nature, as well as on the use of the method of cultures-comparative analysis, since the chronological period of Russian history covered in this work dates back to the time of the Alexander reforms before the formation of the era of the Silver Age of Russian culture and concerns a number of iconic figures of this time.

The subject of the research is a philosophical analysis of mythological narratives about artifi cial intelligent beings, considered as cultural prototypes of modern concepts of artifi cial intelligence (AI). It is proved that myths are archetypal matrices encoding fundamental philosophical questions about the nature of the mind, the limits of creation and the responsibility of the creator. The study thus hypothesizes that archaic myths do not contain intuitive predictions and guesses, but archetypal models that continue to implicitly structure the discourse around AI technologies. The focus is on the reconstruction and systematization of key mythologies that reveal fundamental anxieties and ethical dilemmas associated with the act of artifi cial creation, which remain relevant in the era of machine learning and autonomous cognitive agents. The methodology is based on a philosophical and comparative analysis of relevant mythological texts using a hermeneutic approach to identify stable archetypal structures and their subsequent projection on modern AI problems. The scientifi c novelty of the work lies in the systematization of four archetypal models for creating artifi cial intelligence – hybrid (Pandora), mechanical artifact (Talos), emergent entity (Sparta) and combined model (Golem) – and in demonstrating their direct connection with the current problems of AI. The correlation is traced between the unpredictable destructive actions of mythological characters with artifi cial intelligence and the shortcomings in modern AI systems being developed: the ‘black box’ (opacity of solutions), the ‘sinister valley’ (psychological discomfort from too realistic, but not living creatures), emergent behavior (unpredictability), loss of control and ethical risks. The main conclusion is that understanding the mythological heritage provides an indispensable cultural and philosophical toolkit for the responsible development of AI technologies, which sets a coordinate system for solving problems of interpretability, security and reconciliation of values, necessitating an interdisciplinary dialogue between engineers, philosophers and ethicists.