BULGAKOV AND THE JESUS PRAYER

Manuel Sumares   Abstract The issue surrounding the Name Controversy on Mount Athos in early 20th century provoked a long and systematic response from Father Sergius Bulgakov in defense of the hesychastic prayer in the Name of Jesus. Two remarkable aspects of the response deserve attention. The first is the self-conscious identification of his defense with … [Read more…]

LISTENING TO THE GROANING OF MOTHER EARTH. A CHALLENGE AND AN INVITATION TO MOVE BEYOND ECOLOGY, THROUGH ECOFILIA TO ECOSOPHY – THE NECESSITY FOR A RELEVANT SPIRITUALITY TODAY

Varghese Manimala   Abstract All over the world there is a great concern about Global Warming, migration, wars, poverty, inhumanity, etc. In addition, there is a great concern about Mother Earth as it is being exploited for the sake of profit for a few, and denying opportunities and necessities to the vast majority. In this … [Read more…]

THE SELF-AWARENESS OF “SPIRITUAL” IMAGISTIC PHILOSOPHY

Joseph M. Forte, David Penn   Abstract Drawing on a variety of philosophers from Plato to Ricoeur, the authors suggest that philosophy based on poetry or image can be intellectually valuable in the following ways: They show how an intentional approach to imagistic, spiritual philosophy can promote consideration of beauty, engage the productive imagination, and … [Read more…]

SOPHIA PHILIA AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Daniel Chițoiu   Abstract Philosophy can be understood as a spiritual practice because the purpose of philosophizing is the cultivation of the spiritual in man, of what can be subject to improvement, and change through reorientation and purification through the recurring act of intervention-cultivation. The effect of the practice of philosophy is not a mere … [Read more…]

PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY AND SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

Tone Svetelj   Abstract The resurgence of practical philosophy can be seen as a contemporary attempt to bridge the apparent gap between philosophy and spirituality. Philosophy, in its search for wisdom, misses its primary goal since the theoretical solutions do not lead to the transformation of philosophers’ lives. This article offers a view of the … [Read more…]

PHILOSOPHY AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Dan Chițoiu, Toni Svetelj   Abstract Unprecedently in the entire human history, we live in a world of abundance of information, instantaneously accessible with a few clicks on our devices. What seemed to be in the past an exclusive privilege for a limited number of educated, is now taken for granted and open to everyone … [Read more…]

Paradigm and Symbolic Universe: The Enduring Significance of Thomas Kuhn

Peter Dan   Abstract The importance of Kuhn’s theory is examined from the perspective of its epistemological impact and contrasted with Popper’s concept of falsification; the theory of paradigm shift is analyzed as a general model of change. Its concepts are applied to Berger and Luckmann’s socially constructed reality and to the Symbolic Universe which … [Read more…]

Before Structure. The Rise of Kuhn’s Conceptual Scheme in The Copernican Revolution

Constantin Stoenescu   Abstract Thomas S. Kuhn’s intellectual development could be summed up in a two-stage course, first, the transition from physics to the history of science (primarily physics) and then from the history of science to the philosophy of science, a field in which he achieved consecration with The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (SSR) … [Read more…]