Search Results (93)

In this article, the philosophical (critical) continuity between ancient Greek skepticism (Pyrrhonism) and postmodern political theory is pointed out. This continuity (philosophical reincarnation) is demonstrated by referring to Sextus Empiricus’ writings on Pyrrhonism, as well as two different approaches that are considered to reflect postmodern political theory in its most salient features, such as anti-fundamentalism: Chantal Mouffe’s “project of radical democracy” and the “art of doubt” in Ulrich Beck’s “reflexive” modernity. The content of the identified continuity is basically the following: Just as the Pyrrhonian philosopher aspires to achieve serenity of spirit by suspending judgment through doubt (“epoche” and “ataraksia”) [epəkē –αταραξία], the postmodern theorist aims to end organized political violence by doubting all modern truth allegations. In other words, the individual hope of the Pyrrhonian philosopher is reproduced in the postmodern mind as a socio-political ideal. In Michel Foucault’s terms, the “regime of truth” or the “politics of truth” is an option that often leads to the “terror of truth”. The politics of doubt, on the other hand, is a peaceful, tolerant alternative. According to the postmodern theorist, skepticism is a highly strategic element of a pluralist (libertarian) democratic order. The intellectual way to make modern democracy even more democratic is, first and foremost, through a skepticism that makes absolutely no concessions to truth allegations. In this respect, the most uncompromising skeptic in the history of philosophy is the Pyrrhonian philosopher. Pyrrhonism is the summit of anti-dogmatism. This means that the postmodern theorist is not so much a postmodern agent. In other words, postmodern political theory is the theory of an innovation that is already obsolete. Full article

This study presents a systematic literature review to examine how the axiological values associated with cultured meat influence consumer perception, using the phenomenology of perception as an analytical framework. Fifty-four peer-reviewed qualitative and quantitative studies, identified through the Libraries Worldwide database, were analyzed using NVivo 12 software, based on predefined keywords and a rigorous selection grid. The results highlight several groups of axiological values that shape consumer attitudes, including the previously unexplored “axiological value of co-production” of cultured meat. Specifically, “dogmatic co-production” (e.g., religious or cultural co-production) appears to significantly enhance consumer perception and acceptance of cultured meat. The main limitation of this study lies in the absence of primary phenomenological field data, which may introduce researcher subjectivity inherent in qualitative paradigms. Nevertheless, the use of existing empirical studies ensures the relevance and reliability of this review. This research offers practical implications for communication strategies, suggesting that aligning messages with key axiological values and their amplifiers, particularly those related to co-production, can strengthen trust in and acceptance of cultured meat. For industry stakeholders, these findings provide guidance for value-driven positioning aimed at increasing consumer confidence. Academically, the study offers a novel perspective by integrating axiological analysis with phenomenology in the context of food technology adoption. Socially, it helps identify consumer concerns and expectations regarding the axiological values perceived as essential for the acceptance of cultured meat. The study’s originality lies in its application of phenomenological analysis to axiological frameworks and in highlighting the central role of co-production, particularly dogmatic co-production, in shaping consumer perception. Full article

Potassium homeostasis is impaired in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to alterations in physiological mechanisms and use of agents that modulate the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) to slow CKD progression and reduce cardiovascular risk. In recent years, a new paradox has emerged: while dietary potassium restriction has been dogmatically recommended to prevent hyperkalemia, emerging evidence suggests that a more liberated potassium intake may offer potential benefits, particularly in patients with early CKD. This has prompted a paradigm shift towards a more individualized approach to the management of hyperkalemia in CKD. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest management strategies for hyperkalemia in CKD and to summarize the current literature including publications and guidelines recommendations with respect to dietary potassium intake and use of potassium salt substitutes. Full article

This paper investigates the complex interrelation between national identity and religion in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), moving beyond binary conceptualizations by integrating multiple forms of national belonging, religiosity, and spirituality. Drawing on data from the Pew Research Center’s Religious Belief and National Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe survey across 16 post-communist countries, we performed a k-means cluster analysis that identifies a robust threefold typology of national identity—nationalist, ethnic, and patriotic—arranged along a continuum from exclusivist to inclusive orientations. The nationalist type combines patriotic pride and respect for the country’s laws and institutions with an emphasis on ethnic origin and cultural superiority, and represents the most exclusionary form of national identification. The ethnic type remains exclusivist through its emphasis on ancestry, but lacks chauvinistic elements. The patriotic type, by contrast, embodies an open, non-exclusivist orientation that links national pride to respect for the country’s laws and institutions, while rejecting ethnic criteria of belonging and chauvinistic positions. Overall, exclusivist understandings of national identity predominate across the region, though their prevalence varies systematically according to confessional context, with nationalist identities particularly widespread in countries with an Orthodox majority. The findings also show that religious dogmatism and institutional religiosity reinforce exclusivist orientations, whereas non-religious, individualistic spirituality aligns rather with inclusive patriotism. The study thus provides an empirically grounded typology and highlights the heterogeneous, non-monolithic character of the religion-nation nexus in CEE. Full article

Explanatio symboli, a true Christian pedagogy lesson, is attributed to Saint Ambrose of Milan. It, was established 1700 years after the Synod of Nicaea, in which the first seven confessional articles of the Orthodox Creed were written. In the current religious context, it aims to resurrect the baptismal faith that was so manifest in the Milanese environment within the first few centuries after the persecutions came to an end. To the great bishop of the Century IV Occident, the Baptism and the doxological confession of the All-Holy Trinity, alongside the Trinitarian doxology, were empirical realities within ecclesial life, and were also associated with the experience of grace in the Trinitarian communion. This was imperative, especially in the context of defending the right-faith against the Arianism’s attacks, whose infiltration spread all the way to the Western borders of the Roman Empire. To Saint Ambrose, as to us living today, life in Christ—shaped by confessing the Trinitarian faith and through Baptism—is one that enlightens humanity to become Christo-morphic until the last moment of our life here, and this is the true existential meaning whose efficacity and reality lead us towards His Kingdom. Full article

This study critically examines how the deep institutionalization of Islamic thought in Indonesia’s religious educational establishments has fallen short in addressing contemporary challenges for Indonesian Muslims. The central argument is that a significant gap remains between the educational ideals of the Qur’an and Hadith and the lived realities of Muslim life. Employing Muhammad Abed al-Jabiri’s critical-analytical approach, the article advances three main claims: First, Islamic education in Indonesia is still dominated by logocentrism and school-centrism. Second, these paradigms act as obstacles to developing a critically engaged Muslim society capable of responding to global issues. Third, logocentrism encourages dogmatism by promoting a singular truth, while school-centrism entrenches fanaticism, formalism, and, at times, radicalism. The study concludes that only a critical reassessment of these paradigms can drive meaningful educational reform and enable Indonesian Muslims to better confront contemporary realities. Full article

Background: Combination therapy for Enterococcus faecalis was established in the 1940s due to high rates of treatment failure, especially for infective endocarditis (IE). However, during this period antimicrobials were limited, optimal dosing was unknown, and development of resistance was rapid. Today, nearly 80 years later, combination therapy is still the standard practice for IE caused by E. faecalis despite improvements in antimicrobial availability, activity, and evidence-based, optimized antimicrobial dosing. These treatment decisions are guided by in vitro synergy principles and are frequently extrapolated to E. faecalis bloodstream infections (BSI) without IE. The paucity of clinical data to support this practice, paired with the known risks from unnecessary antibiotic exposure, makes further research and clinical guidance necessary. Methods: This single-center retrospective observational study of hospitalized adult patients with E. faecalis BSI treated with combination therapy aimed to describe treatment approaches and outcome data. Results: Between 1 January 2017, and 30 September 2024, 358 patients were screened, and 54 met study inclusion criteria. IE was present in 53.7% of patients, and 25.9% met the composite outcome (30-day mortality, 60-day hospital readmission, and/or 60-day recurrence). Adverse events were noted in 5.6% of patients. Conclusions: Observational data from this review supports the hypothesis that guideline recommendations for the use of combination therapy in E. faecalis IE are occasionally extrapolated to patients without IE. Given the in vitro and dated observational data used as the basis for these recommendations and the risks associated with unnecessary antibiotic exposure, more extensive, prospective, interventional studies are needed to address this dogmatic practice surrounding a high-morbidity, high-mortality disease state. Full article

This article discusses Karl Barth’s use of W.A. Mozart’s music in the doctrine of creation (in Barth’s Church Dogmatics) in relation to Mozart’s music. I propose an approach for understanding how and why Mozart’s music was able to contribute to the theological delimitation of das Nichtige, a key concept in Barth’s theodicy, in a way that Barth’s discursive argumentation could not. Scholars have discussed whether the music for Barth functions as a parable about the Kingdom of God or as a secular artistic statement that feeds into Barth’s theological argument. Whereas Barth may have used Mozart playfully in some places, he uses Mozart strictly as a secular artist in the discussion of das Nichtige. Therefore, it becomes important to establish the extent to which Barth’s use of Mozart is musically well-founded. I use recent musicological discussions of Mozart’s piano concertos as a background for my own description and close reading of the first movement of Mozart’s piano concerto K. 451 (1784), concluding that Barth’s brief and unsubstantiated description of Mozart’s music in the Church Dogmatics can be substantiated to a large extent, precisely as what Barth claimed it to be: an artistic and secular statement, not a theological one. Full article

This study examines the renewal of Ignatian spirituality from the Spanish school, emphasizing the contributions of General Pedro Arrupe during his eighteen-year tenure leading the Society of Jesus. Arrupe’s vision prioritized deep interior experience over mere religious practices, advocating for a spirituality rooted in divine gift and surrender. His leadership inspired a return to the fundamental principles of Ignatian spirituality, marked by a profound sense of God’s presence, self-offering, and a commitment to the apostolic mission. The research is organized around three main axes: textual and exegetical, historical and contextual, and systematic or dogmatic Ignatian theology. The first axis explores the contributions of scholars like Antonio María de Aldama and José Calveras, who emphasized returning to the original Ignatian texts and their exegetical significance. Their work highlighted the centrality of Christ, the spiritual exercises as a transformative tool, and the dynamic relationship between mission and identity within the Society. The second axis focuses on historical and contextual analysis, particularly through the work of Cándido de Dalmases, Ricardo García-Villoslada, and Jesús Iturrioz. These scholars reassessed Ignatius of Loyola’s biography and historical influences, moving beyond hagiographical narratives to consider broader theological and social movements of the 16th century, such as Erasmus’ humanism and the Catholic Reformation. The third axis, systematic Ignatian theology, is examined through figures like Pedro de Leturia and Ignacio Iparraguirre, who explored the doctrinal dimensions of Ignatius’ writings. Key themes include the Christocentric nature of Ignatian spirituality, the role of discernment in governance, and the balance between mysticism and apostolic mission. This research underscores the ongoing relevance of Ignatian spirituality by contextualizing its renewal within historical, exegetical, and theological frameworks, demonstrating its adaptability and enduring significance in contemporary spiritual discourse. Full article

This article explores the emergence of a new philosophical religion arising from the intersection of psychedelic ministry, transpersonal psychology, and participatory metaphysics. Framed within the evolution of Western consciousness and drawing from Friedrich Schelling’s participatory metaphysics, Stanislav Grof’s findings, and Jorge Ferrer’s participatory turn, this article joins the metaphysical and spiritual conversation rising within the psychedelic ecosystem. These needs include spiritual and metaphysical integration of some psychedelic phenomena as well as metaphysical foundations for a sacramental understanding of psychedelics. Arguing that psychedelics can function sacramentally and grant participatory access to the creative ground of reality, this article proposes transpersonal ministry as a framework that can meet the spiritual and metaphysical demands of psychedelics. In dialogue with Schelling’s vision of a philosophical religion and Ferrer’s participatory pluralism, transpersonal ministry offers churches, ministers, and congregants a shared language that unites experiential participation with metaphysical inquiry to provide a non-dogmatic framework for integrating transformative states. Full article

This study analyzes confessionally conditioned self-image and mutual perception of the Catholic and Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Upper Hungary in the context of the second confessionalization process. Based on comparative research of the contemporary press, including either the printed or handwritten homiletic and catechetical literature, predominantly from the area of Upper Hungary, the study examines which phenomena and processes taking place since the 1830s until the end of the 1850s signaled a renewal in confessional identities in both the Catholic and Evangelical Churches. A particular emphasis has been placed on indicators of the second confessionalization, such as the debate on mixed marriages, a rising number of conversions, or legislative interventions in the freedom of religion. Through discourse analysis, the study explores how the image and self-image of the Catholic and Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession evolved as a result of the expansion of the catechetical literature and apologetic works and identifies the narrative strategies employed in their respective confessional discourses. The Catholic discourse stressed maintaining dogmatic integrity and Church authority in particular, whereas the Evangelicals more frequently accentuated a thorough biblicality and rationality as a counterposition to Catholic piety. Both traditions claimed exclusive access to “true religion” and used apologetic genres to defend and enhance their identity. Polemical texts also served as tools to form confessionally conditioned collective consciousness, as well as a part of contemporary cultural and political debates. Full article

This study focuses on Richard Wilhelm (1873–1930), a German Protestant missionary, employing archival research methods to examine his experiences in China and his contributions to the dissemination of Christianity. After arriving in Qingdao (青島) in 1899, Wilhelm adopted a missionary approach that was relatively new to the German missionary community. Under the influence of the theory of “direct Christianity”, he focused on “cultural evangelism” in an effort to establish a non-dogmatic Chinese Christianity. By establishing modern schools and hospitals, he played a pivotal role in fostering reconciliation between Christian and non-Christian communities in China, thereby enhancing the legitimacy of Christian educational institutions within the indigenous educational framework. Furthermore, through extensive dialogues with both intellectual elites and ordinary citizens, Wilhelm demonstrated that traditional Confucian values are not inherently in conflict with Christian teachings. His missionary endeavors thus promoted the indigenization of Christianity in China and significantly facilitated Sino-German cultural exchange. Full article

This study examines the complex process of Islam’s localization in Sudan, focusing on how hospitality, Sufi dhikr, and Mawlid celebrations integrate with Islamic practices. Drawing on three years of qualitative fieldwork, it demonstrates how Sudan’s geography, ethnic diversity, and historical heritage enable the blending of core religious principles with local customs. Sufi brotherhoods—particularly Qādiriyya, Tījāniyya, Shādhiliyya, and Khatmiyya—play a pivotal role in local culture by incorporating traditional musical, choreographic, and narrative art forms into their rituals, resulting in highly dynamic worship and social interaction. In Sudan, hospitality emerges as a near-sovereign social norm, reflecting the Islamic ethics of charity and mutual assistance while remaining deeply intertwined with local traditions. Islam’s adaptability toward local customs is further illustrated by the vibrant drumming, chanting, and dancing that enhance large-scale Mawlid al-Nabi celebrations, uniting Muslims under a religious identity that goes beyond dogmatic definitions. Beyond their spiritual meanings, these Sufi practices and networks also serve as tools for social cohesion, often functioning as support systems in regions with minimal state presence. They help prevent disputes and foster unity, demonstrating the positive impact of a flexible Islam—one that draws on both scripture and local traditions—on peacebuilding in Sudan. While highlighting the country’s social realities, this study offers insights into how Islam can function as a transformative force within society. Full article

The process of secularization was long considered irreversible and characteristic of all contemporary culture. Nonetheless, more recent approaches view it as strictly linked to Western religiosity and in relation to a process of de-secularization and post-secular orientations regarding the sacred. For Romanian Orthodox theologians, secularization represents more of a trial than a danger. The current article presents the results of qualitative research regarding the religiosity of future graduates of Orthodox vocational theological high schools in Romania. The students enrolled in the research were asked to graphically represent God and briefly explain their drawings. The data were theoretically coded and compared with the canonical attributes of God as acknowledged by Orthodox theology. The results indicated the canonical correctness of students’ representations of divinity. Orthodox vocational high school education proves to be effective in imposing the Christian dogmatic line to the detriment of popular religiosity characterized by old pre-Christian beliefs and practices. Full article