Formal graph (network) theory has proven to be an effective approach for studying the organization and behavior of complex interconnected systems. This study argues that mythological and cosmological models across various cultures employed network structures long before their mathematical formalization. The Norse Yggdrasil, Indra's net, the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, and some other mythic systems can be interpreted as early, intuitive models of complex networks (small-world, scale-free, peer-to-peer, multiplex, etc.). By analyzing mythological cosmologies through the lens of contemporary network theory, and vice versa, my aim is to show that both models share a common cognitive foundation. The main thesis is that they are based on pre-conceptual mental structures, i.e., cognitive schemas, particularly the link image schema, which is central to our understanding of relations and connectivity and, consequently, foundational to the conceptualization of networks, both formal and symbolic. Conversely, the paper proposes that formal network theory can serve as a hermeneutic key for re-examining the structural logic of mythic models. It has been suggested that a Bose-Einstein condensation-like process, emerging from statistical analyses of scale-free networks, offers a framework for at first sight do not exhibit an explicit network structure.
This article develops a typological framework for understanding the diversity of views on the state and church-state relations within the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) throughout the 20(th) century. The article's original contribution lies in the systematic identification and characterization of five distinct ideological movements within Orthodoxy-traditionalism, moderate fundamentalism, zealotry, modernism, and neoconservatism-each of which emerged in response to specific historical conditions and political transformations. Drawing on historical, political, and ecclesiological research, the article examines the relationship between the ROC and the Russian state across three distinct political regimes: the Russian Empire, the USSR, and the Russian Federation. The authors conclude that the process of the Russian state's transformation led to the formation of several distinct movements and approaches within Orthodoxy regarding the state: traditionalism, (moderate) fundamentalism, zealotry, modernism, and neoconservatism.
Modern high-tech medicine paving the way for developing life-extension treatments and more opportunities for diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases improving about lifespan but also about quality of life. It increasingly raises moral and ethical issues to physicians and society. This raises numerous questions about biomedical ethics in clinical transplantation, including from a religious perspective. Where do the boundaries lie between a person as a spiritual being and as a physical body? This article will examine the moral dilemmas surrounding the interpretation of human death as a biological being (cardiac arrest) and human death as a social subject in the context of organ transplant practices.
The present paper reports the results of the analysis carried out on a 15th century wall painting preserved in the little church of St. Egidius located in the cemetery of Filacciano, a small town in the province of Rome. The wall painting, representing St. Egidius, has great religious significance for the community of Filacciano, so its preservation is highly relevant for the locals. Thanks to the recent restoration work, it was possible to investigate the wall painting both from an historical point of view and from a diagnostic perspective. This last aspect is fundamental in the modern restoration approach; in fact, the knowledge of the original materials, of the past treatments and of the degradation compounds is essential to correctly plan the various operations during the restoration such as cleaning, consolidation and final aesthetic presentation. By combining the information gathered from the different techniques, i.e. hypercolorimetric multispectral imaging, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microstratigraphic analysis on cross-sections, it was possible to have a characterization of the pigments, binders, previous restoration materials and degradation patterns. The analysis was completed with a microclimatic monitoring inside the church for one year to relate the conservation of the wall painting to the environmental parameters.
The acoustic quality of sacred spaces plays a vital role in shaping liturgical experience and communal participation. In many churches built in Pozna & nacute; between 1970 and 2000, acoustic conditions were not intentionally designed, resulting in inconsistent auditory environments. However, recent decades have seen a shift toward integrating targeted acoustic solutions into church architecture, reflecting both technological advancement and growing awareness of sound's spiritual and functional significance. This paper presents a comparative analysis of two contemporary churches St. Padre Pio (2013) and St. John Paul II(2018) that employ stretch ceiling systems to optimise interior acoustics without compromising architectural integrity. The applied solution consists of a 30 cm layer of mineral wool, a 5 cm air gap, and a non-perforated tensioned membrane. Reverberation Time (RT) was the primary parameter assessed, with results compared to post-conciliar churches lacking such interventions. The study highlights how modern material technologies can enhance the acoustic environment of sacred spaces, supporting clearer liturgical communication and deeper spiritual engagement. It also opens a dialogue on the intersection of architectural science, theology, and heritage preservation in contemporary church design.
This article proposes a sociological rethinking of the notion of transcendence based on the affective turn and Hartmut Rosa's resonance theory, understanding transcendence through its relational, affective, and transformative dimensions. To this end, we develop a theoretical trajectory in three stages: first, we review the main sociological contributions to transcendence, focusing on Durkheim's distinction between the sacred and the profane as a collective dynamism that enables boundary-crossing; on Simmel's conception of transcendence as a vital overflow; on Joas' proposal, that reframes self-transcendence within modernity; and on Schutz and Luckmann's typology of transcendences which reveal the plurality of their social forms. Secondly, we present the affective turn and resonance theory as conceptual frameworks from which we propose a rereading of the transcendent experience. Finally, we examine the resonant dimension of transcendence from three perspectives or anchors: commotion, response, and transformation, attempting to show how contexts, bodies, and emotions act as structuring forces of transcendent boundaries. By putting these standpoints together we have come to a proposal that defines the resonant dimension of transcendence as a conceptual tool that enables a sociological understanding of transcendent experiences in relational terms, from an experience centered on the body, affects, and symbolic mediations of modern life.
Pope Gregory I the Great (590-604) represents a key figure in the shaping of church policy towards Jews at the dawn of the Middle Ages. In this study, we analyse the Registrum epistularum-a collection of Gregory's preserved letters from that period that document the relations between Christians and Jews in Italy, Sicily, Gaul and Hispania at that time. Gregory the Great attempted to find a balance between religious tolerance, disciplinary interventions and the expectation of Jewish conversion; he rejected coerced conversions and supported the obtaining of Jews through moderation and preaching. However, at the same time he opposed the ownership of Christian slaves by Jews and sanctioned religious excesses. Given the scope of this study, we plan to examine this topic further in a second study, where we will investigate a different perspective-the foundations of Gregory's theology towards Jews-as we find in his other works, and from which follows his relationship to Jews during his time. Although different in content, these two worlds-Jews as part of the biblical exegetical tradition and Jews as contemporaries of Pope Gregory-ideologically overlap in several places in his work.
This article analyzes the practical dimension of Catholic-Muslim dialogue initiated by the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The author examines the evolution of 'fraternity diplomacy', a model that moves beyond theoretical theological discourse toward building concrete interpersonal and interreligious relationships that transcend denominational and national borders. Particular attention is given to the institutionalization of this idea on the international stage, culminating in the United Nations General Assembly's establishment of the International Day of Human Fraternity, celebrated annually on February 4. The study explores the role of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity and the significance of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in promoting global solidarity, tolerance, and the inclusion of vulnerable communities. The research employs methodological triangulation, including the analysis of source documents such as the encyclical Fratelli tutti, official Vatican communiques, and a critical discourse analysis of papal rhetoric. The findings indicate that while this initiative faces criticism from conservative circles within both religions regarding religious relativism or political instrumentalization, it represents an unprecedented attempt to address 21(st)-century challenges, such as extremism and armed conflict, by redefining religions as vital contributors to global peace and sustainable development.
References to astronomical bodies are relatively rare within the extant literature from the Viking Age (c.AD800-1066) - ranging from vague cosmological/mythological descriptions in epic poems, to copies of classical Greco-Roman texts by scribes in Nordic territories after the Viking Age had ended. This has led to considerable scholarly speculation and interpretation over the extent of Viking astronomical knowledge. However, what most former examinations into Viking Astronomy have not considered is whether the stars, constellations and clusters that these theories suggest were part of Viking astronomy could actually be seen in the lands of the Vikings. The visibility of an object is based upon two connected criteria: the maximum elevation of the object compared to the latitude of the observer, and the magnitude of the object. The investigation into these characteristics for objects listed in Medieval texts - particularly the small astronomical glossary found in the manuscript GKS 1812 4to - and modern texts such as Jonsson's Star Myths of the Vikings, shows that while some of the objects that are listed in these works would have been visible in Viking lands, and so may have been part of Viking astronomy, other objects that are found within the Medieval and modern literature could not have been part of Viking astronomy as they were not visible at all.
This study aims to find out the teaching values of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH (peace be upon him) in social interaction to non-Muslims as the way to counter intolerance in Indonesia. Employing a thematic approach with a contextual-hermeneutical methodology, this paper argues the hadiths of harmony have spirit of tolerance and pluralism such as recognition of the socio-legal status of non-Muslims (Malik: 544), rejection of identity-based prejudice in determining truth (al-Bukhari: 4125), affirmation of universal human dignity (al-Bukhari: 1229), protection of the right to life (Ahmad: 22047), the protection of minority rights (Abu Dawud: 3312), credibility of cross-religious testimony (Ibn Majah: 2365), religious moderation (Ahmad: 23710), and the legitimacy of cross-religious social and economic interaction (Ibn Majah: 2437). The urgency of this research is to reintroduce the values of tolerance taught by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through his hadiths, intending to inspire Muslims globally, particularly in Indonesia, these hadiths serving as a source of guidance for positive interactions between Muslims and non-Muslims. The study concludes that revitalizing hadith of harmony is essential for fostering inclusive religious attitudes among Muslims as the majority community and for strengthening social harmony in Indonesia's multicultural society.
Existential loneliness is a broad concept often associated with feelings of isolation, alienation, emptiness, and abandonment, which can lead to significant psychological and emotional challenges. Existential psychotherapy considers this form of loneliness an inevitable aspect of human existence and therefore emphasizes acceptance and coping. In contrast, Allameh Tabataba'i, a prominent Muslim scholar, offers a different account: he regards existential loneliness as an illusory feeling that arises from forgetting God. Within his philosophical framework, God, as the ultimate cause, is always present with His creation, making any notion of existential separation-and thus existential loneliness- ultimately meaningless. This study explores and interprets Allameh Tabataba'i's perspective on existential loneliness and compares it with the Quranic view and influential existentialist accounts. This perspective may inform the development of culturally and religiously sensitive therapeutic approaches for Muslim and other faith communities by reframing existential loneliness as a spiritually grounded concern. In this view, restoring spiritual connection and remembering God's constant presence may alleviate-or even dispel-the perceived sense of loneliness and isolation, a claim that warrants further empirical examination.
Religions and beliefs shape the identities and values of individuals and communities, influencing both their personal worldview and the collective frameworks of societies. These identities and values can inspire individuals and groups to achieve mutual understanding, yet they can also serve as sources of division. When left unchecked, such divisions may exacerbate prejudice, hatred, violence, insecurity, and even large-scale atrocities. In this context, legal guarantees of freedom must be interpreted against a broader ethical and axiological backdrop. Interreligious dialogue, understood as constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions or spiritual beliefs, both at the individual and institutional levels, offers a framework for addressing these tensions. This article examines positions on interreligious dialogue presented in the literature that are often considered insufficient-namely, exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism-and attempts to align them with a more appropriate approach based on the principles of metadialogue. While Joseph Ratzinger's work on this topic provides an important reference for our work, this study integrates additional theoretical perspectives, emphasizing the authors' analytical perspective on the role of dialogue in promoting human rights and human security. The primary goal is to demonstrate that interreligious dialogue, beyond its theological dimension, functions as a crucial mechanism for reducing social conflict, promoting tolerance, and ensuring the protection of fundamental human rights.
The Imperial Kazan University was founded in 1804 by decree of Emperor Alexander I. As part of the new educational institution, the Zoological Cabinet, which is part of the Department of the Natural Sciences Department of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, played an important role in scientific and educational terms. His collections, which were originally transferred to the university from the Kazan Gymnasium, began to form almost from the opening of the university - initially it was the cabinet of Natural History (Natural Cabinet). Taxidermists (preparators) were actively involved in this process - people who often did not have special education, but who had the ability to hunt and make stuffed animals and other exhibits, which were actively used by university professors to give lectures and conduct practical classes. Over a dozen different taxidermists have worked in the history of the Zoological Cabinet. Some of them served for a long time, others - not so long. Many of them took an active part in various expeditions to expand their collections. This article is devoted to the little-known names of Kazan taxidermy, and, in particular, reviews the work of R.K. Minkiewicz at the Imperial Kazan University. Based on archival data and a few published sources, his entry into the service and his scientific activity in Kazan have been traced. It is shown that during his service, R.K. Minkiewicz was actively engaged in research in the field of invertebrate zoology. In addition, a brief overview of his activities after leaving the university is provided. The role of R.K. Minkiewicz in the formation of some scientific institutions in Poland is noted. The work carried out allows you to learn more about the history of the formation of university museum collections.
This article examines motivation and well-being in public administration by juxtaposing theological and psychological perspectives. It is based on the assumption that motivation cannot be reduced to purely instrumental or empirical factors, but also involves ethical, axiological, and personalist dimensions. The study compares classical and contemporary theological approaches-represented by St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Church's social teaching-with major psychological theories of work motivation, ranging from the classical models of Maslow, Herzberg, McGregor, and Vroom to selfdetermination theory and positive psychology. The article employs a qualitative, conceptually oriented approach, combining comparative analysis of selected theological and psychological frameworks with a review of recent literature and an empirical example drawn from public administration practice. The analysis shows that theology conceptualizes motivation primarily in teleological and axiological terms, orienting human action toward the highest good (beatitudo) and the common good, whereas psychology focuses on motivational mechanisms, psychological needs, and conditions that foster employee engagement and well-being. Well-being is addressed both in psychological categories (hedonic and eudaimonic) and in theological terms (beatitudo, communio), revealing points of convergence between the two perspectives. In both approaches, intrinsic motivation and the search for meaning emerge as key factors shaping professional activity. The main difference lies in the ultimate point of reference: theology emphasizes transcendence and vocation, while psychology highlights effectiveness and individual satisfaction. The article argues that integrating these perspectives offers a coherent framework for understanding motivation and wellbeing in public administration, combining organizational effectiveness with ethical reflection and respect for human dignity.
Peatlands are globally significant carbon sinks and hotspots of biodiversity, yet they face intense pressure from agricultural expansion, plantation development, and infrastructure projects. Conservation policy for these ecosystems must therefore negotiate competing priorities: the economic imperatives of local and national development, and the cultural - particularly Islamic and Malay - values that shape community relationships to land and natural resources. This study examined how Islamic ethical principles and Malay cultural norms intersect with, reinforce, or conflict with economic drivers influencing peatland use in Senepis peatland, Riau, Indonesia. Drawing on qualitative analysis of literature, policy documents, and survey, we identify three patterns: (1) cultural-religious frameworks often provide strong moral support for conservation when local leaders translate ecological stewardship into religious obligation and customary practice; (2) economic incentives-both formal and informal-frequently undermine conservation unless alternative livelihoods or benefit-sharing mechanisms exist; and (3) hybrid governance approaches that integrate Islamic ethics, adat institutions, and market-based instruments yield more durable conservation outcomes. We conclude that effective peatland conservation in the area requires policy instruments that align economic benefits with cultural and religious values, strengthen local customary and religious leadership, and create equitable livelihood alternatives.
Using data from the World Values Survey (WVS) Wave 7, this study examines the relationship between the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and various religious and religiosity factors across 47 countries. The research proceeds in two stages: first, ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests are used to highlight geographical differences in CPI across continents, supported by visual boxplots; second, linear mixed-effects models analyze the influence of multiple independent variables on CPI. The results show significant regional variations, indicating that corruption is a global issue, especially in developing and post-communist countries. Key findings suggest that Protestantism has a negative correlation with CPI, while the role of religiosity varies depending on denomination and its demographic makeup in the overall population, shaped by historical experiences such as religious persecution during communist regimes, as well as political, economic, and cultural conditions. The paper concludes that socio-political contexts mediate religion's impact on corruption, and anti-corruption strategies should take these complexities into account.
The article examines the key factors shaping the formation of ethnic identity as a significant cultural trend among contemporary youth in Kazakhstan. It establishes a causal relationship between the context of cultural globalization and the specific features of ethnic identity, which manifest in both constructive and destructive forms. The narrative understanding of ethnic identity is substantiated, while its status becomes problematic under the dominance of mass media and social networks that transform the ways of constructing collective and individual 'stories of the self'. A comparative analysis of historical processes in European countries and the USSR is employed as a meaningful background, allowing for clarification of similarities and differences in strategies of constructing ethnicity and nation in a diachronic perspective. It is shown that the shift toward visual culture effectively literalizes Benedict Anderson's concept of 'imagined communities'. A decrease in the level of critical reflection on discourses thematizing ethnicity is noted, which enhances the relevance of mythological and narrative approaches to interpreting the phenomenon of ethnic identity. Drawing on empirical analysis, the article reveals the configurations of ethnic identity models among Kazakhstani youth in urban and regional contexts, highlighting their specificity and the semantic antagonism between traditionalist and modernist orientations.
Sub-Saharan Africa, and especially the Great Lakes Region of Africa, is an area where religion plays a special role. Since pre-colonial times, the so-called tribal magicians, shamans, have used the sphere of the sacred for specific political goals, including legitimization of the power of kings. This has influenced political mythology to this day. This article was written not only on the basis of an analysis of the subject literature, but also on the basis of several local studies conducted in the countries of the region. Apart from the analysis and critical review of collected materials, nonparticipant observation and interviews were used as research methods. The study refers to the essence of the role played by the sphere of faith and religion used as a political instrument mainly in the form of political myth. Political myth is understood as a dramatized image of the political reality based on selected fragments of memory. It is aimed at invoking specific political attitudes among communities and political goals such as gaining or keeping power.
This article explores the ecclesiastical origins of contemporary organizational discipline through a Foucauldian genealogical analysis. Tracing management practices from medieval monastic rules to modern corporate environments, it suggests the persistence of structures such as hierarchical oversight, confessional self-disclosure, and ascetic selfregulation. Using historical and empirical examples, the study explores how secular workplaces might retain elements of pastoral power originally aimed at spiritual salvation, now justified by productivity and profit. It concludes by reflecting on ethical implications, suggesting possible ways to reimagine organizational discipline toward greater autonomy and genuine community.
In our paper, we examine Buddhist filial piety (hieu) in contemporary Vietnam, attempting to integrate traditional Buddhist teachings with modern psychological research and neuroscientific findings. Our study draws on canonical sources like the Sig & amacr;lov & amacr;da Sutta and the Vu Lan Sutra, as we explore how filial piety functions as both religious virtue and social practice. We demonstrate that The Dual Filial Piety Model [DFPM] distinguishes between reciprocal (love-based) and authoritarian (duty-based) forms, with empirical evidence suggesting reciprocal filial piety correlates with better mental health and family harmony. Furthermore, we examine recent neuroscientific studies on compassion meditation and show that practices central to Buddhist filial cultivation can enhance empathy and emotional regulation and that this can be measured in brain changes. Against the current background of Vietnam's urbanization and demographic shifts, we further examine how traditional filial values adapt to modern challenges including nuclear families, elder care needs, and digital disruption. Finally, we propose integrative approaches that combine Buddhist wisdom, psychological insights, and practical interventions to cultivate sustainable filial piety that honors tradition while supporting contemporary well-being.
