Search Results (114)

The essay offers an expansive and multi-stratified investigation into the role of esoteric traditions within the development of Russian modernity, reframing occultism not as an eccentric deviation but as a foundational epistemological regime integral to Russia’s aesthetic, philosophical, and political evolution. By analyzing the arc from Petrine-era alchemical statecraft to the techno-theurgical aspirations of Russian Cosmism and the esoteric visual regimes of the avant-garde, this essay discloses the deep ontological entanglement between sacral knowledge and modernist radical experimentation. The work foregrounds figures such as Jacob Bruce, Wassily Kandinsky, and Kazimir Malevich, situating them within broader transnational currents of Hermeticism, Theosophy, and Rosicrucianism, while interrogating the role of occult infrastructures in both late-imperial and Soviet paradigms. Drawing on recent theoretical frameworks in the global history of esotericism and modernist studies, the long-read article elucidates the metaphysical substrata animating Russian Symbolism, Abstraction, Malevich’s non-Euclidian Suprematism and Moscow Conceptualism. This study contends that esotericism in Russia—far from marginal—served as a generative matrix for radical aesthetic innovation and ideological reconfiguration. It proposes a reconceptualization of Russian cultural history as a palimpsest of submerged sacral structures, where utopia and apocalypse, magic and technology, converge in a distinctively Russian cosmopoietic horizon. Ultimately, this essay reframes Russian and European occultism as an alternate technology of cognition and a performative semiotic universe shaping not only artistic modernism but also the very grammar of Russian historical imagination. Full article

Oral tradition stories hold a vital place in language education, offering rich repositories of linguistic, cultural, and historical knowledge. In the Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL) context, their inclusion provides dynamic opportunities to explore diversity, foster critical and creative thinking, and challenge dominant epistemologies. Despite their pedagogical potential, these narratives remain largely absent from formal curricula, with most SFL textbooks still privileging canonical works, particularly those from the Latin American Boom or European literary texts. This article aims to provide practical guidance for SFL instructors on designing effective, culturally responsive materials for the teaching of vocabulary. Drawing on a methodological framework for material design and a cognitive approach to vocabulary learning, I present original pedagogical material based on a Colombian oral tradition story about the witches of La Jagua (Huila, Colombia) to inspire educators to integrate oral tradition stories into their classrooms. As argued throughout, oral narratives not only support vocabulary acquisition and intercultural competence but also offer students meaningful engagement with the values, worldviews, and linguistic diversity that shape Colombian culture. This approach redefines language teaching through a more descriptive, contextualized, and culturally grounded lens, equipping learners with pragmatic, communicative, and intercultural skills essential for the 21st century. My goal with this article is to advocate for teacher agency in material creation, emphasizing that educators are uniquely positioned to design pedagogical resources that reflect their own cultural realities and local knowledge and to adapt them meaningfully to their students’ needs. Full article

This paper examines the epistemological transformation prompted by the integration of generative artificial intelligence technologies into social science research, proposing the “adaptive epistemology” paradigm. In today’s post-digital era—characterized by pervasive infrastructures and non-human agents endowed with generative capabilities—traditional research approaches have become inadequate. Through a critical review of historical and discursive paradigms (positivism, interpretivism, critical realism, pragmatism, transformative paradigms, mixed and digital methods), here I show how the advent of digital platforms and large language models reconfigures the boundaries between data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Employing a theoretical–conceptual framework that draws on sociotechnical systems theory, platform studies, and the philosophy of action, the core features of adaptive epistemology are identified: dynamism, co-construction of meaning between researcher and system, and the capacity to generate methodological solutions in response to rapidly evolving contexts. The findings demonstrate the need for reasoning in terms of an adaptive epistemology that could offer a robust theoretical and methodological framework for guiding social science research in the post-digital society, emphasizing flexibility, reflexivity, and ethical sensitivity in the deployment of generative tools. Full article

Relational thinking, as both an ontological and epistemological approach, is inherently intertwined with the discipline of architecture. Yet, despite its growing visibility in the information age, its conceptual depth and theoretical implications remain systematically underexplored within architectural discourse. This study investigates how relational thinking is reflected in 21st-century architecture by analyzing the relevant literature and identifying both commonalities and divergences. Methodologically, the research follows a qualitative framework structured in three phases. First, 40 texts engaging with relationality in architecture were systematically selected via JSTOR and SCOPUS using the PRISMA protocol. Second, a descriptive content analysis was conducted, resulting in five thematic clusters: theoretical, methodological, technological, ecological, and social. Finally, an interpretive synthesis was developed by analyzing the convergence and divergence across these clusters. The findings demonstrate that relational thinking in architecture manifests through complex, multi-scalar integrations of knowledge, practice, and context. Each cluster foregrounds specific aspects of relationality, yet their overlaps reveal underlying patterns of cross-disciplinary resonance. This study suggests that relational thinking is reshaping architectural epistemology—moving it beyond static, form-based paradigms toward dynamic, interconnected systems thinking. These insights underline the necessity of further theoretical engagement with relationality as a core principle of contemporary architectural knowledge. Full article

Evaluating performance is a necessary and specific process across all sectors and organizational levels, shaped by context, indicators, and purpose. Considering global sustainability transitions, understanding financial performance entails a deeper perspective on technical accuracy, conceptual clarity, and systemic integration. This study investigates how financial performance is assessed and interpreted in sustainability-focused research, drawing on a bibliometric analysis of 490 articles indexed in the Web of Science from 2007 to 2023. Using SciMAT, we traced thematic evolutions and revealed a fragmented research landscape marked by competing theoretical, methodological, and practical orientations. To address this conceptual dispersion, we applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate five key alternatives to financial-performance assessment (quantitative measurement, definition-oriented reasoning, theoretical frameworks, experiential comparison, and integration with sustainability and ethics) against three conceptual criteria (philosophical depth, holistic scope, and multidisciplinary relevance). The results highlight a strong preference for holistic and integrative models of financial performance, with quantitative measurement ranking highest in practical terms, followed by experiential and sustainability-driven approaches. These results underscore the need to align financial evaluation more closely with sustainability values, bridging short-term metrics with long-term societal impact. By combining diachronic thematic mapping with structured decision analysis, this study advances a more reflective and forward-looking framework for performance research. It contributes to sustainability research by identifying underexplored epistemological pathways and supporting the development of financial evaluation models that are inclusive, ethically grounded, and aligned with sustainable development goals. Full article

The call to decolonize South African university curricula continues to shape academic discourse, highlighting the urgency of integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKSs) into theological education. While Western epistemologies have long dominated theology in Africa, this article argues for a paradigm shift by positioning public theology as a viable framework for engaging AIKS in meaningful and transformative ways. The article examines how AIKSs—expressed through oral traditions, communal spiritualities, and indigenous ethics—can enrich theological discourse, enhance contextual relevance, and address issues such as social justice, identity, and community cohesion. Drawing on the decoloniality discourse, this study critically explores the epistemological, institutional, and pedagogical challenges hindering integration and proposes concrete strategies including curriculum reform, faculty training, and community-based theological formation. The article contributes to the decolonization of theological education by offering a context-specific framework that repositions AIKSs as legitimate theological resources. In doing so, it advances a model of public theology that is inclusive, rooted in African realities, and responsive to the transformative needs of Southern African societies. Full article

This paper presents research on the origin, scope, evolution, and rationale of knowledge about polynomials in high school mathematics. Within the framework of the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic, Croatian high school curricula and textbooks were analyzed, and four models of knowledge to be taught were identified in the period following the formal abandonment of New Math principles. None of the identified models provides a unified discourse that integrates knowledge about polynomials transposed from scholarly domains of algebra and mathematical analysis. In relation to other curricular content the knowledge about polynomials has two-fold importance: (1) contributing to the development of various techniques related to high school algebra and calculus; (2) serving as a fundamental example in the formation of the notion of a function. Thus, the observed reduction in polynomial content over the analyzed period affects both practical and theoretical knowledge. The findings suggest that curricular changes have primarily focused on the selection of knowledge, with scarce adaptations of knowledge to be taught compared to the knowledge before each curricular change. This has led to a persistent gap between algebraic and analytical approaches to polynomials, potentially influencing the learned knowledge even among the highest-achieving students. Despite polynomials’ epistemological and didactical potential to bridge high school algebra and calculus, their restriction to specific forms of algebraic expressions and linear and quadratic functions contributes more to the fragmentation of high school mathematics. Full article

Kumbapattu is a folk song of the indigenous Kurichiya community sung during Thira, a religious festival celebrated during the month of Kumbham (February). It narrates the mythical life and actions of Malakkari, an embodiment of Lord Shiva and the chief deity of the Kurichiya. A critical study of this 1051-line folk song, its ritual performance, and its ecological fountainheads can contribute to our understanding of the cultural and ritualistic energies and functions of indigenous art forms. This paper examines the role played by religious folk songs in reiterating Kurichiya identity and community integration, and the relevance of such narratives in addressing ecological challenges while sustaining cultural heritage. The method of close textual analysis of Kumbapattu is employed to decode the religious concepts and philosophies of the community, supplemented by observations of ritual performances during fieldwork. This study draws on both primary and secondary materials for the analysis. The study employs Bronisław Malinowski’s myth–ritual theory to examine the relationship between myth and ritual and their role in shaping the Kurichiya identity. Further, William R. Bascom’s four functional categories are applied to identify the ecological functions expressed through the song, since the community is traditionally agrarian and still largely depends on forest and environment for a significant part of their community life. To provide a culturally grounded interpretation that reflects Kurichiya worldviews, the study also incorporates indigenous epistemology to make the analysis more relevant and comprehensive. Full article

This paper explores the role of forgetting in the thought of the Korean Sŏn (Chan in Chin.; Zen in Jpn. 禪) master Chinul (知訥, 1158–1210), situating it within broader East Asian philosophical and Buddhist discourses. While the concept of forgetting has often been treated negatively in Western philosophy—as a cognitive failure or loss—this study draws on recent comparative scholarship, including Youru Wang’s reading of Zhuangzi, to show how forgetting can be reframed as a conscious spiritual and philosophical practice. In particular, this paper examines how Chinul integrates the practice of forgetting into a systematic Buddhist framework grounded in no-self (anātman), emptiness (śūnyatā), and the unity of samādhi and prajñā. In Straight Talk on the True Mind (Chinsim chiksŏl 眞心直說), Chinul outlines ten distinct methods for cultivating no-mind by offering interpretations of teachings from various East Asian Chan masters. Through a detailed analysis of Chinul’s Chinsim chiksŏl, this paper argues that forgetting—when understood as the deliberate letting go of discursive thought, deluded conceptualizations, and habitual dualisms—becomes a powerful method for revealing the true mind. Ultimately, Chinul’s philosophy of forgetting offers a unique account of cognitive transformation—one that challenges conventional epistemologies and calls for a reorientation of perception itself. Therefore, Chinul’s teachings on no-mind and forgetting offer a profound understanding of how deconstructing ingrained cognitive habits can lead to the emergence of enlightened awareness, providing valuable insights into the transformative processes at the heart of East Asian Sŏn Buddhist practice. Full article

This paper aims to explore the challenges of maintaining and modernizing legacy systems, particularly COBOL-based platforms, the backbone of many financial and administrative systems. By exploring the DOGE team’s initiative to modernize government IT systems on a relevant case study, the author analyzes the pros and cons of AI and Agile methodologies in addressing the limitations of static and highly resilient legacy architectures. A systematic literature review was conducted to assess the state of the art about legacy system modernization, AI integration, and Agile methodologies. Then, the gray literature was analyzed to provide practical insights into how government agencies can modernize their IT infrastructures while addressing the growing shortage of COBOL experts. Findings suggest that AI may support interoperability, automation, and knowledge abstraction, but also introduce new risks related to cybersecurity, workforce disruption, and knowledge retention. Furthermore, the transition from Waterfall to Agile approaches poses significant epistemological and operational challenges. The results highlight the importance of adopting a hybrid human–AI model and structured governance strategies to ensure sustainable and secure system evolution. This study offers valuable insights for organizations that are facing the challenge of balancing the desire for modernization with the need to ensure their systems remain functional and manage tacit knowledge transfer. Full article

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have emerged as an influential framework in climate and water governance, promoted as cost-effective, resilient, and ecologically sound responses to environmental degradation. This interdisciplinary review critically examines the conceptual foundations, governance models, and systemic risks associated with NbS in urban and coastal water management. While NbS are often presented as sustainable and multifunctional alternatives to grey infrastructure, the literature reveals recurring vulnerabilities—ranging from ecological side effects to socio-political inequities and epistemological overconfidence. Drawing on contemporary case studies and classical environmental thought—from authors such as Virgil, Lucretius, and Seneca—the paper challenges the prevailing assumption that nature-based interventions are inherently beneficial or resilient. Instead, it argues for a reflexive and context-sensitive approach to NbS, one that integrates historical awareness, ethical reflection, and adaptive governance. The review proposes a typology of systemic risks, synthesizes unintended consequences across global examples, and calls for greater integration of environmental humanities into NbS research and policy design. Full article

This study explores the ways in which Canadian teachers construe the complexity of citizenship education, utilizing the key concepts of affect and difficult knowledge to examine the challenges to democratic citizenship within increasingly diverse intercultural societies. The findings from the semi-structured qualitative interviews with six social studies teachers reveal how affective dynamics emerge prominently as they grapple with tensions between idealized conceptions of multi- and intercultural citizenship and ongoing challenging issues (e.g., social inequality and exclusion). The findings reveal a problematic pattern of antinomical attitudes as a dilemma—where teachers outwardly acknowledge ethical obligations to address ongoing injustices while simultaneously resisting the deeper structural changes necessary for sustainable intercultural societies. In doing so, this study illuminates how affective dynamics function as an onto-epistemological power behind social production that shapes our cognitive rational deliberations on citizenship and undergirding ideology(ies). These findings offer critical insights into the ethical challenges of education for sustainable intercultural societies amid a global landscape where extreme nationalism intertwines with neoliberal market-driven imperatives. This study thus provides implications for critical pedagogical approaches for citizenship that embrace myriad affective dynamics to create transformative learning spaces for citizenship education, particularly in addressing systemic inequalities. Such approaches could pave pathways toward acts of citizenship to disrupt already defined orders, practices, and statuses so integrally as to make claims for justice. Full article

Addressing the escalating complexity of global sustainability challenges requires interventions that are not only technically effective but also cognitively and philosophically grounded. While the leverage points perspective has provided a useful framework for understanding systemic change, it can be enhanced through more operational coherence and cultural pluralism. This paper introduces the Deep and Shallow Sustainability Intervention (DSSI) framework, a novel conceptual model that integrates Taoist philosophical insights with contemporary systems thinking and the leverage points literature. Structured across five interconnected Taoist-inspired domains and ten leverage points, the framework extends and enriches Meadows’ leverage point theory by integrating pre-paradigmatic meta-cognitions, systemic momentum, and context-sensitive action. It emphasizes that sustainable transitions require the dynamic interplay between foundational source-code shifts and operational implementation. This framework contributes to the growing field of transformative sustainability science by (1) embedding non-Western epistemologies into systems transformation theory, (2) offering a structured yet flexible model for multi-level intervention design, and (3) enabling transdisciplinary dialogue between philosophy, paradigmatic shift, meta-systemic logic, governance, and practice. Preliminary applications in European rural transition contexts suggest its potential to enhance context-sensitive action and value-aligned systems innovation. The DSSI framework thus offers a timely and integrative approach for guiding long-term, systemic, and culturally responsive sustainability transitions. Full article

This research focuses on the impact of smart city technologies on urban tourism, specifically analyzing Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Vienna, while also considering implications for smart tourism development in Belgrade and other Serbian cities. The aim of the study was to examine how smart city technologies contribute to enhancing the efficiency, digital engagement, and sustainability of urban tourism. A representative sample of 1239 tourists was surveyed, with a balanced gender representation and a predominance of younger respondents, indicating that smart tourism initiatives should cater to tech-savvy travelers. The study employed a questionnaire with 31 statements ranked on a five-point Likert scale, and factor analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) identified three key dimensions: smart efficiency, smart travel, and digital enhancement. These factors highlight how smart technologies optimize urban mobility, enhance travel experiences, and improve tourist engagement. The research confirms the initial hypothesis that integrating smart city technologies enhances urban tourism efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, the study adopts a positivist epistemological approach, emphasizing empirical analysis and statistical validation to derive generalizable findings. The results provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to develop sustainable urban tourism strategies in Serbian cities. Full article

This study proposes Tewahedo epistemology, an Ethiopian knowledge system grounded in the Ge’ez language, as a decolonial framework for re-visualizing academic literacy in higher education. Tewahedo, meaning “oneness” or “unity”, integrates multiliteracies—written, oral, spatial, and visual—within a communal and culturally embedded ethos through its Tergwame (ትርጓሜ) epistemes and Andǝmta (አንድምታ) traditions. The aim of the article is to challenge the dominance of skills-based literacy models by positioning Tewahedo as a decolonized alternative, emphasizing contextualized knowledge, communal meaning-making, and epistemic belonging. Through a literature review, the study explores Andəmta as a communal and dialogic system of knowledge sharing, rooted in Ge’ez and Amharic hermeneutics. This framework serves as a template for Africanizing and decolonizing contemporary academic literacy development. Findings reveal that Tewahedo epistemology offers ancient yet innovative strategies for fostering interpretive, explanatory, and multimodal competencies in academia. The study argues that adopting a unified Tewahedo-based academic literacy framework can cultivate intellectual agency, decolonize educational spaces, and center Indigenous Knowledge Systems. It calls for educational reforms that promote cultural diversity, legitimize Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and nurture academic belonging for students in multilingual and multicultural contexts. Full article