Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is a popular contemplative mental practice. Its purpose is to cultivate feelings of compassion, love, and prosocial motivation, typically through inner visual imagery and benevolent intentions. Previous studies have revealed evidence for various constructive effects of LKM. It remains an open question, however, whether the effects of LKM are exclusively positive in all practitioners. To tackle this question, we collected 55 microphenomenological interviews (MpIs) reflecting subjective experiences during LKM. Furthermore, we obtained psychological and biological (oxytocin, cortisol) inter-individual (...) difference measures during a nine-month, longitudinal, mental training study. LKM was predominantly described in positive affective terms and associated with cortisol decrease in accordance with the natural diurnal decline, which reflects its generally non-stressful nature. However, five participants reported experiences such as panic, sadness, and fear. Emotional challenge, as indicated by negative word use during MpIs, was linked to lower scores of self-kindness and higher scores of selfcompassionate mindfulness. (shrink)

SummaryThis article proposes to clarify the problem of interpreting Lesniewski's ontology. A distinction is made between two kinds of interpretation: substitutional and “natural”. Substitutional interpretation is shown to involve difficulties and limitations. A “natural” ontology, the major principles of which are presented here, is shown to be of considerable interest.

The issues related to the multilingual situation in modern Bashkiria are discussed in the article, configuration of multilingualism is given on the basis of extensive and representative data of the latest census. Multilingual issues are discussed in the context of the social functions of philology, as well as a set of measures of a regulatory nature undertaken by the government and society to ensure social, ethno-cultural and inter-ethnic stability. The author believes that the language situation with multilingualism depends on a (...) number of sociolinguistic variables, but the invariant feature of all modifications of multilingualism in Bashkiria should be considered as a factor of the maximum level of language loyalty towards the Russian language. This factor provides a comprehensive and decisive impact on the conditions and status of multilingualism in the republic. (shrink)

In this book, the extend to which we can equip artificial agents with moral reasoning capacity is investigated. Attempting to create artificial agents with moral reasoning capabilities challenges our understanding of morality and moral reasoning to its utmost. It also helps philosophers dealing with the inherent complexity of modern organizations. Modern society with large multi-national organizations and extensive information infrastructures provides a backdrop for moral theories that is hard to encompass through mere theorising. Computerized support for theorising is needed to (...) be able to fully grasp and address the inherent complexity. Using moral reasoning capacity will help us addressing the challenges that technological artefacts pose. They do not only contain information about us, they start to act on our behalves.With the increasing autonomy comes an increased need to ensure that their behaviour is in line with what we expect from them. To investigate and address these issues a laboratoy for philosophy is outlined: SophoLab. It consists of a methodology; a framework of modal logic, DEAL; and multi-agent software systems. SophoLab provides the basis for an experimental, computational philosophy. Its viability and usefulness are demonstrated through several experiments. (shrink)

In applied problems mathematics is used as language or as a metalanguage on which metatheories are built, E.G., Mathematical theory of experiment. The structure of pure mathematics is grammar of the language. As opposed to pure mathematics, In applied problems we must keep in mind what underlies the sign system. Optimality criteria-Axioms of applied mathematics-Prove mutually incompatible, They form a mosaic and not mathematical structures which, According to bourbaki, Make mathematics a unified science. One of the peculiarities of applied mathematical (...) language is a variety of dialects: a problem can be presented in terms of various mathematical notions. Another peculiarity is polysemy: a problem can be presented in the framework of one dialect by a set of various models with equal right to exist. The pragmatic sense of distinction between applied and pure mathematics must lead to specific training in each case. (shrink)

The target articles on sleep and dreaming are discussed in terms of the concept of search activity integrating different types of behavior, body resistance, REM sleep/dream functions, and the brain catecholamine system. REM sleep may be functionally sufficient or insufficient, depending on the dream scenario, the latter being more important than the physiological manifestation of REM sleep. REM sleep contributes to memory consolidation in the indirect way. [Nielsen; Revonsuo; Solms; Vertes & Eastman].

The Concept of Humanitarian Development of Ukraine till 2020: Religious Proposals to Plan-Prospectus.

For the current, turning point in the history of Ukraine characterized by the desire of ideologues of different confessions to speak from the standpoint of the global vision of the world, the inclusion in the public consciousness of the ideological function of religion, through which the religious interpretation of the relationship "man - the world" is revealed. To achieve this they seek, in particular, through the involvement in theological outlook of theological interpretations of the achievements of the combined science, which (...) supposedly only in such a way acquire perfection and true meaning. (shrink)

The Ukrainian Democratic-Radical Party was formed as a result of the unification of the Ukrainian Democratic and Ukrainian radical party in 1905. Regarding religious affairs, the UDRP program required the separation of the Church from the state and the election of the clergy that was traditional for Ukraine. The party's foundations were local communities that existed autonomously and often raised and resolved on their own. In January, 1905, the Odessa community asked the Russian government to ensure the freedom to use (...) the Ukrainian language in the church. (shrink)

The policy adopted by the Twenty-fifth Congress of the CPSU on raising the quality of work and the effectiveness of social production means that work must be more highly organized and disciplined and that initiative and creative searching must be fostered. "The country sets as its goal enlargement of the real opportunities for citizens to apply their creative powers, abilities, and gifts and for comprehensive development of the individual.".

Dieser Buchtitel ist Teil des Digitalisierungsprojekts Springer Book Archives mit Publikationen, die seit den Anfängen des Verlags von 1842 erschienen sind. Der Verlag stellt mit diesem Archiv Quellen für die historische wie auch die disziplingeschichtliche Forschung zur Verfügung, die jeweils im historischen Kontext betrachtet werden müssen. Dieser Titel erschien in der Zeit vor 1945 und wird daher in seiner zeittypischen politisch-ideologischen Ausrichtung vom Verlag nicht beworben.

The author points to the power of traditionalism in Slovak cultural – spiritual milieu and to the rise of the intellectual modernity in the Slovak thought in 17th – 20th centuries . There is a continuity of alternating between tradition and modernity. The problem of this philosophy remains “idolatrism”. Regarding the problem of receptivness, the author points to the theoretical and methodological standpoints of structuralism with its principle of immanence. In conclusion the author examines the problem of the marginality of (...) “national” philosophy. (shrink)

Problem: The paper investigates some reasons why RC has not become a mainstream endeavor. Method: The central assumptions of RC are summarized. Analysis is made of how each of these assumptions corresponds to other views, especially to intuitive beliefs that are widely accepted. Is RC consistent with these beliefs, supported by them, or incompatible with them? Results: The construction hypothesis is supported by the results of cognitive science and neurophysiology. However, the closed-system hypothesis and antirealism are in conflict with deeply (...) rooted convictions of most people. Some ethical and educational aspects claimed by RC are generally accepted but they are not specifically implications of RC. Implications: In the near future, RC will probably not become the leading paradigm or a mainstream endeavor in the sciences or in philosophy. (shrink)