No 4 (2025)
Articles
Between image and depiction: The Second Commandment in the Context of Catacomb Painting
Abstract
Catacomb painting, formed in the context of the biblical prohibition on images (the Second Commandment), is a unique phenomenon of early Christian culture. The article analyzes methodological approaches to its study: iconographic analysis, concepts of identity, artistic style, dialogue and the role of the viewer. Special attention is paid to the juxtaposition of an "image" (a material object) and an "image" (a symbol indicating the transcendent), which reveals the apophatic principle of overcoming prohibition. The author criticizes the limitations of existing methods, offering an interdisciplinary analysis combining the context of the funeral space, rethinking ancient motifs and affective perception. Catacomb art is interpreted as an independent system, where prohibition is transformed into the aesthetics of absence, and symbols serve as tools for expressing the sacred. The study highlights the importance of combining art criticism, theological and philosophical approaches to study the visual language of catacomb painting in the context of religious and cultural features of Late Antiquity. The methodology combines iconographic analysis with concepts of identity, viewer, dialogue, style, and affect. Comparative and contextual approaches are used to evaluate methodologies and analyze the perception of the Second Commandment in early Christianity. Their ability to explain the uniqueness of catacomb painting beyond the limits of traditional art studies is evaluated. The relevance of the research is due to the increase in the number of works on catacomb art, including art criticism ("Catacomb" period in the art of early Christians" Kuznetsova-Bondarenko E.S., Tyulyukov D.I., 2020; "Funeral portrait in the art of early Christian catacombs" Obraztsova K., 2021) and cultural studies ("Evidence of painting Roman catacombs on the worldview of Christians of the pre-Constantine era" Chernova A.V., Sharkov I.G.; "Images of early Christian art in the context of the study of Christianity of the I–IV centuries" Lyakh E.E., 2017). However, there are no studies that systematize methodological approaches. The work fills this gap by offering a new perspective based on affective perception and the concept of the image as a means of spiritual communication. This approach allows us to take a fresh look at catacomb painting and the problem of overcoming the Second Commandment, going beyond the traditional art historical analysis.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):1-25
1-25
Preservation of political subjectivity in the context of digitalization
Abstract
The subject of the research is the changing role of the individual as a subject of political relations in the digital age. The object of the research is the transformation of the political system under the influence of digitalization, leading to a breakdown of the established system of political relations that has developed over the previous decades. Political history of the last few decades shows that virtually all global changes around the world have occurred due to the use of digital technologies. The author examines in detail such aspect of the topic as the transition of the political process from real life to the "virtual world," the world of the Internet, where under the influence of digital algorithms, manipulations of information occur distortion of the political. Particular attention is given to the issue of changes in political technologies affecting individuals' ability to make informed political decisions. This creates a danger of turning democratic institutions into a façade, a shield that ensures the legitimization of pre-made decisions. The research process employed comparative and logical-structural analyses, a systemic approach, subjective-objective, and dialectical methods. The article discusses the impact of digitalization on the political system of contemporary society. The aim of the work is to confirm the hypothesis about the negative influence of digitalization on the role of the individual as a subject of political relations. The scientific novelty lies in revealing the correlation between changes in society caused by digitalization and the transformation of the political structure of modern society. The main conclusions reached by the author are as follows: under the influence of digitalization, the traditional political spectrum is becoming blurred, complicating citizens' ability to participate in the political process; the process of information manipulation established by digital algorithms deprives individuals of the ability to make informed choices about their actions and decisions; the erosion of boundaries between the private and public lives of individuals in the modern world under the influence of digitalization also does not contribute to the preservation of full political subjectivity for individuals. In the digital age, individuals deal with technologies that can cause irreparable harm to human relationships. Ignoring the ethical aspects of using digital technologies poses the danger of establishing some form of tyranny, or in the worst-case scenario, totalitarianism.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):26-41
26-41
Entrepreneurial Identity Narratives: From Heroic Modernity to the Postmodern Multiplicity of Roles
Abstract
This article examines the evolution of the entrepreneur’s identity from the heroic image of the “titan of industry” during the modern era to the multiplicity of roles in postmodernity. The central argument is that, while in modernity the entrepreneur was portrayed as a singular hero of progress, in the postmodern context this identity becomes fragmented and reconfigured through various narratives. The contemporary entrepreneur not only develops technological solutions or manages companies but also actively constructs a public image through the media and social networks, effectively turning into a “brand” of one’s own. This reframing of entrepreneurship addresses questions of authenticity, self-presentation, and the influence of digital platforms, where each market participant can be viewed as an “entrepreneur of their own life.” Accordingly, the focus of this study extends beyond the entrepreneur’s economic role to include their cultural and symbolic function in the conditions of postmodernity and platform capitalism. Methodologically, the paper draws upon postmodern philosophy (Jean-François Lyotard’s ideas on the end of “grand narratives,” Jean Baudrillard’s concept of simulacra, and Michel Foucault’s analysis of power discourse), as well as narratology, discourse analysis, and the deconstruction of cultural texts. The research’s novelty lies in rethinking the figure of the entrepreneur as the “entrepreneur of oneself” (a term tracing back to Foucault’s works), that is, a subject who shapes and promotes their own identity much like a brand. This perspective sheds light on the hidden mechanisms of image formation in the context of digital platforms, where personal and professional identities fuse into a unified construct and are broadcast to a mass audience. Consequently, it is shown that in the platform economy and consumer society, the entrepreneur increasingly emerges as a project in and of themselves, combining traits of a creator, a product, and a manager of one’s own life. This opens new horizons for philosophically interpreting authenticity, self-realization, and the interplay of freedom and self-control in the realm of contemporary entrepreneurship.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):42-55
42-55
The role of the concept of "abduction of agency" in Eduardo Viveiros de Castro's Amerindian perspectivism and the possibility of applying it to the study of technology
Abstract
The article is devoted to the study of the concept of "abduction of agency", a term coined by the Brazilian anthropologist Eduardo Viveiros de Castro in his conception of Amerindian perspectivism. The concept was subsequently borrowed by Castro from the works of British anthropologist Alfred Gell. The central objective of the paper is to clarify the meaning of this concept in Viveiros de Castro's Amerindian perspectivism. This elucidation is undertaken to demonstrate the concept's suitability for philosophical and anthropological scrutiny of human interaction with technology. The paper's objectives are threefold: firstly, to provide a general description of the concept of abduction; secondly, to identify the role of the concept of "abduction of agency" in the works of Gell; thirdly, it will prove that Viveiros de Castro's understanding of the "abduction of agency" overcomes the criticism of this concept by British anthropologist, Tim Ingold. The methodological framework encompasses a historico-hermeneutical analysis of abduction in the history of philosophy (from C. S. Peirce to contemporary authors) and a critical-objective comparison of Gell's and Viveiros de Castro's interpretations. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the systematisation of the concept of "abduction of agency", which eliminates the gap in the research of Viveiros de Castro's work and opens prospects for its integration into the philosophy of technology and ethics of artificial intelligence. The practical significance of the work is related to the possibility of using the concept in the model human-technology interactions, where hypotheses are formed in the process of dynamic adaptation to changing conditions. The conclusions of the paper call into question Ingold's criticism, demonstrating that the "abduction of agency", as interpreted by Viveiros de Castro, does not contradict the idea of creativity as improvisation, but, on the contrary, enriches it, offering a new tool for interdisciplinary research.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):56-68
56-68
Palliative systems with simulation activity: resilience factors and management scenarios
Abstract
A significant area of research within system theories is the problem of ensuring the survivability of damaged and incomplete (with missing elements) systems. A typical characteristic of such systems is their existence in a palliative state, where the system continues to function but loses (either completely or partially) its functionality while maintaining the external signs of a "healthy" system. Various management options for damaged and incomplete systems are considered, allowing them to be preserved, as well as mechanisms for ensuring the stability of such systems. The article pays particular attention to the consideration of two main tools for replacing damaged and missing elements in systems: plugs and elements with simulation activity. The nature of their functioning, application possibilities, and activity options are defined. For externally controlled systems, three possible management scenarios for a damaged or incomplete system are discussed. The foundation of the research is based on theoretical models developed by the author in previous works concerning the stability of the system through the resources of the supersystem, the restoration of the system using preserved functional subsystems, and other systems within one supersystem, among others. As a result of the research conducted in the article, dedicated to issues that previously remained outside theoretical analysis, the variability of scenarios for effective management of damaged and incomplete systems is noted. The choice of the optimal option depends on whether the significance of the functions lost due to the damage remains during the system's development, the system's adaptability, the utility of a system with incomplete functionality, the complexity of correction, and the resources required for this. The evaluation of the feasibility of a palliative system is based on two criteria: the necessity to maintain the system in a state of limited functionality or, in extreme cases, to ensure survival; and the practicality of nominally preserving the system that reproduces the responses of an undamaged system. The novelty of the results obtained in the work lies in raising the question of the necessity for theoretical analysis of the management issues of damaged and incomplete systems, the advisability of maintaining their palliative state, and scenarios for transitioning systems to states with full functionality. The results obtained in the work may be useful in managing damaged and incomplete systems across various domains: in regulating technical systems, in enterprise management, macroeconomic regulation, and others.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):69-84
69-84
The static Nature of the Absolute combined with the process Theism of God the Father in a new ontological perspective
Abstract
This study examines the application of the dialectical method developed by the authors, which allows us to deduce ontological levels through the principle of mutual reflection of entities and their negations. According to this principle, each higher ontological level, passing through a double denial of oneself ("not-not-I = I-am-I"), generates a lower level of being through comparing oneself with one's own non-existence. This process illustrates the transition from the static Absolute, the First Principle, to God the Father. The reflection of the mind that has come to know God leads to the emergence of an immortal soul that does not exist in a material body, but in the transcendent world of the Spirit, in the Kingdom of the Father. The Father is ready to fulfill the will of those who are "born again" (John 3:5). Thus, human free will is realized through coordination with the will of God: at the request of his "children" born into Eternity, God changes Providence, and the world is transformed without the direct intervention of the Spirit in matter. The methodological basis of the research includes a historical and philosophical analysis of the basic concepts of the Absolute, as well as the application of systemic and interdisciplinary approaches. In addition, the work uses the method of analogies, which is based on conceptual and phenomenological analysis, as well as natural philosophical approaches that take into account modern achievements of natural science, including parallels with the principles of quantum mechanics. World existence, like all higher ontological levels, exists "inside" God, and not beyond him, as is often assumed in various philosophical systems. It represents a picture of the development of worlds that exists in the "imagination" of God. The worlds act as peculiar mirrors in which God contemplates Himself. These reflections acquire an independent and eternal life in the eternal "memory" of God, which is the Kingdom of Heaven, which also resides "inside" God, and not "outside" Him. At the same time, the development of worlds in God's "imagination" and their stay in His eternal memory represent two sides of the same process that do not interact directly. This approach also develops a consistent concept of the existence of the world as a reflection of God in Himself, and Salvation as the eternal abiding of a mature person in the memory of God, which is the essence of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):85-110
85-110
Kant's Pre-Critical Thought Experiments and the Vis Viva Controversy
Abstract
This article investigates the role played by thought experiments in Kant's evaluation of the vis viva controversy. The vis viva debate revolved around differing conceptions of force, with the Cartesian tradition interpreting force quantitatively as momentum, while Leibnizians viewed it qualitatively as kinetic energy. Kant’s pre-critical writings, particularly his essay "Thoughts on the True Estimation of Living Forces," are examined to elucidate his methodological approach to this historical scientific dispute. The paper reconstructs Kant's strategy of employing thought experiments to mediate between the opposing Cartesian and Leibnizian camps, thereby addressing fundamental questions regarding the nature of force and movement. Through this reconstruction, the study clarifies how Kant leveraged imaginative reasoning to challenge existing theories and propose a cohesive methodological stance. The article adopts a rational reconstruction approach, systematically analyzing Kant’s pre-critical arguments as thought experiments. By employing comparative analysis, Kant’s reasoning is contextualized within both historical scientific discourse and contemporary philosophical interpretations of thought experimentation, particularly engaging with secondary literature on Kantian epistemology and philosophy of science. The novelty of this research lies in its explicit treatment of Kant's early arguments as genuine thought experiments, which has been overlooked in prior scholarship. The analysis demonstrates that Kant intentionally constructed his proofs as "experiments" – despite their hypothetical and counterfactual character—and considered them decisive even in the absence of empirical testing. The flexibility inherent in Kant’s imaginative approach enabled him to simultaneously critique and reconcile Leibniz's dynamic and Descartes's kinematic frameworks from a unified methodological perspective. Key conclusions include the recognition that Kant’s employment of thought experiments involving infinite variations, idealized experimental setups, and counterfactual conditions was crucial in shaping his methodological stance. Consequently, the article contributes significantly to understanding the continuity in Kant’s philosophical development from the pre-critical to the critical periods, emphasizing the methodological coherence underpinning his epistemological evolution.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):111-127
111-127
Digital networks: between specification and transindividual in the philosophy of Gilbert Simondon.
Abstract
In this paper, an attempt is made to use the theoretical propositions of the French philosopher Gilbert Simondon to investigate the theory of digital networks at the intersection of the concept of "concretization" (as the process of embodying abstract structures in material practices) and the concept of "transindividual" (a collective dimension that goes beyond the individual). This allows for a new perspective on modern digital technologies and society. Furthermore, the article asserts that by developing the theory of technicality as a way of human existence alongside religion, science, and art, the evolution of technicality reaches its culmination precisely in digital networks, through which the world itself becomes not only networked but also technosocial. In this case, digital networks are not only a result of concretization, akin to the formation of a crystal, but are rather similar to a technical ensemble, a deeply interconnected technological and social formation. The research employed general scientific methods, among which the descriptive method, dialectical method, as well as methods of analysis, observation, and synthesis are highlighted. It should be emphasized that this work is research-oriented and aims to conceptualize the digital network as a unique technosocial object that is in constant evolutionary development. In this regard, the work proposes three key cognitive structures for studying digital networks: the process of concretization, a triadic model that unites elements, people, and technical ensembles, and an analysis of technicality that traces the evolution from the initial rupture of magical unity to the role of elements within digital networks as supports for transindividual relationships. Additionally, it is worth noting that very recently, the concept of transindividuality has become a central analytic for studying interactions between big data, algorithmic systems, and digital platforms within network infrastructures. The aim of this work is to deepen contemporary interpretations of transindividuality by proposing two directions for research: first, the application of Simondon's logic to the study of the concept of the digital network, and second, a deeper examination of the role of transindividuality in modern digital networks.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):128-139
128-139
In search of a thesaurus of everyday theatricality as a philosophical and anthropological phenomenon: «scenario», «performance», «persona»
Abstract
The scientific work is devoted to the analysis of the thesaurus of everyday theatricality as a philosophical and anthropological phenomenon. The fundamental interest in terminology is justified by the need to build a morphology and identify the content of everyday theatricality. The leading terms for the study are «scenario», «presentation», and «persona». The choice is determined by specific works of human behavioral sciences (psychology and psychiatry) scientists such as Eric Bern, Irving Hoffman and Carl Jung. The experience of the sciences of human behavior is important in view of its extensive empirical base, medical and research practices implemented by scientists on a daily basis, in close communication with people. Everyday theatricality is understood as a complex phenomenon of human being adaptation to external and internal challenges; as a phenomenon that manifests the «theatrical» nature of a human being and realizes its existential potential in society; as a phenomenon with a pronounced social, communicative, sociocultural orientation, realizing itself in the daily culture of communication. Among the methods of scientific work, analytical, critical, historical-problematic, categorical methods should be identified. As intermediate results, it is important to emphasize the potential significance of the terms («scenario», «performance», «persona») for the study of everyday theatricality. The «scenario» helps to characterize a set of stereotypes (programs) of human behavior that they use in everyday life. «Representation» helps scenarios to be implemented in order to realize social roles. The «persona» relies on the script and representation as psychological tools that help it match the chosen personality, to a certain extent, by theatrical means of expression.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):140-160
140-160
Transformation of the semantic part of a piece of musical art
Abstract
The subject of the research in the article is music, which by its very nature is simultaneously considered the most easily perceived and difficult to comprehend art form. Unlike other types of art such as painting, sculpture, poetry, music has no material evidence. The sound that manifests the beauty of melody is a physical phenomenon that has its own extent in time and space. The article analyzes the transformation of the semantic content of musical art throughout the history of culture. The philosophers of the ancient world (Plato, Plotinus), followers of Christianity (Augustine), and modern philosophers (V. I. Martynov, Z. V. Fomina) directed their attention to this problem. A special attitude to music as an element of religious culture allows us to observe a deep spiritual content in musical creativity throughout the development of art. The study of musical content was carried out through the analysis of scientific and religious sources, which dealt in detail with issues related to religion and creativity. As a basis for the article, the author refers to the treatise "On Music" by Augustine, works on the study of ancient Russian singing art and the modern concept of the Russian musicologist, philosopher and composer V. I. Martynov. Using the method of comparing musical thinking from different eras, it is possible to conclude that music had not only different purposes in cultures, but also had different semantic forms. The musical content has been transformed along with significant historical events such as the formation of ancient civilizations, the emergence of Christianity, the secularization of Western society, and the emergence of modern cultural values. The discovered interrelations between historical processes and musical thinking will help to design future directions in the field of art. Since the religious component is present in the musical content, it can be concluded that there is a Divine truth hidden in creativity, which can be comprehended through a melody filled with the spirit. With the loss of spiritual content, melody ceases to be an intermediary between God and man.
Philosophical thought. 2025;(4):161-176
161-176