ABSTRACTS LIST
Vol. I, No. 2, Autumn-Winter 2008
EDITORIAL
GLIGOR, Mihaela, "Historicism and Multiculturalism. The Problem", International
Journal on Humanistic Ideology 1 (2) 7-14, 2008.
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ARTICLES
RICKETTS, Mac Linscott, "Mircea Eliade and the
Terror of History. Anti-Historicism and the History of Religions",
International Journal on Humanistic Ideology 1 (2) 15-36,
2008.
Abstract: This paper is a detailed examination of Mircea Eliade's
book, Cosmos and History, The Myth of the Eternal Return, presented
together with the Journal notes he wrote while he was composing the
volume. Using both published and unpublished parts of the Journal, I
am able to show how the volume evolved and disclose some of the
difficulties Eliade had to overcome in writing it.
Keywords: Historicism, traditional societies, archetypes, the myth
of the eternal return, archaic man, modern man, Emmanuel Kant.
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FUMURESCU, Alin, "Two Histories of
Compromise", International Journal on Humanistic Ideology 1
(2) 37-66, 2008.
Abstract: Since almost everybody agrees with the definition of
politics as "the art of compromise" the general disregard of this
concept is intriguing, to say the least. By tracing down the
overlooked conceptual history of compromise, the essay signals for
the first time the ignored difference between the usages of
compromise on either side of the English Channel starting as early
as the sixteenth century. It offers as possible explanation for such
discrepancy a different apprehension of political representation
between England and continental Europe, especially France - a
difference with long-lasting consequences. I check this hypothesis
by comparing and contrasting the theories of social contract in
England and France respectively, pointing out how the forgotten work
of Gilbert Burnet, a contemporary of John Locke, proves that in
seventeenth century England the social contract came to be
assimilated with a generalized compromise.
Keywords: compromise, representation, early modern Europe, Gilbert
Burnet.
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CHAUDHURI, Maitrayee, "Multiculturalism. The
Story from an Indian Point of View", International Journal on
Humanistic Ideology 1 (2) 67-90, 2008.
Abstract: This paper foregrounds the historically specific Indian
experience in engaging with "unity and diversity". It further argues
that "multiculturalism" was theorized in India but not within the
accepted protocols and language of the modern, western academia. It
primarily refers to two sets of debates, namely: the public
discourse of India; and a more academic discourse in Indian
sociology. Within the public discourse the gender question is
privileged as it dramatically brings to the fore the contestations
between competing discourses on rights of women versus rights of
culture.
Keywords: unity and diversity, colonialism, international academic
division of labor, gender, composite culture, secularism, democracy,
recognition, redistribution
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SABBARWAL, Sherry , "Whither Multiculturalism?
A View from India", International Journal on Humanistic Ideology
1 (2) 91-96, 2008.
Abstract: The practice of "multiculturalism" is a significant
expression of a movement related to the politics of identity in many
societies. It has been viewed differently by scholars and by the lay
person at various points in time. At this crucial juncture of
terrorist strikes in India, it is time to re-evaluate this
phenomenon. Is multiculturalism a threat to the stability of a
society or does it have a positive role to play in the integration
of societies, is the question with which this article attempts to
contend.
Keywords: Multiculturalism, Nativism, Integrationist pluralism,
Cosmopolitan liberalism
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ANTONESEI, Liviu, "Modernity and Modernization
from an Intercultural Perspective", International Journal on
Humanistic Ideology 1 (2) 97-112, 2008.
Abstract: This study sees the European process of modernization
through the values that gave it a structure, and taking into account
the continuous force which they radiate. Two case studies were
carried out in Japan and Romania, but they are examples of failed
attempts at modernization - they represent the arguments of this
paper. If the first country succeeded in its second attempt at
modernization, this fact is due to the essential role of education.
This is what is recommended also for the present modernizing attempt
of Romania.
Keywords: Being modern, modernizing, liberal democracy, values, the
values of modernizing, liberty, equality, fraternity, legality,
education, intercultural education, acculturation, enculturation,
educational aim.
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IVTZAN, Itai, "Self Actualisation: For
Individualistic Cultures Only?", International Journal on
Humanistic Ideology 1 (2) 113-140, 2008.
Abstract: Maslow's concept of Self Actualisation refers to the
greatest "need" in his motivational theory; the need to realize and
fulfill one's potential. Research has continually highlighted the
differences between cultures using the
individualistic-collectivistic dimension, but these differences have
not been extended to the characteristics that define self
actualisation. The current study aims to test the cultural validity
of Self Actualisation by using the Personal Orientation Inventory
(POI) questionnaire as a comprehensive measure of the self
actualising characteristics originally highlighted by Maslow. The
POI questionnaire was tested on 100 British participants as
representing individuals from an individualistic culture, and 100
Indian participants as representing individuals from a
collectivistic culture. The POI measured responses on 12 scales,
each representing key characteristics of the Self Actualising
individual. In support of the hypothesis, the results showed British
participants scored significantly higher than the Indian
participants on 10 out of the 12 scales. Thus, contrary to the
belief that the basic concept of Self Actualisation applies to any
human being in any culture, the current findings suggest that the
characteristics of Self Actualisation, as defined by Maslow and the
POI, cannot be effectively applied to collectivistic cultures in the
same way they can in individualistic cultures. Implications include
important impact on the workplace, as this concept of Self
Actualisation has been integrated into management techniques used by
human resources teams, motivating employees and encouraging them to
develop self actualising values.
Keywords: Self-Actualisation, cultural differences, Abraham Malow.
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TATU, Răzvan, "Ex Oriente Lux? Georgius of
Hungaria and his Treaty on the Beliefs and Customs of the Turks.
Notes on an Apocalyptic Perception of the Other", International
Journal on Humanistic Ideology 1 (2) 141-152, 2008.
Abstract: Inter-religious dialogue remains an issue of major
importance today. This fact is proved by the many conferences and
meetings in which diverse religious and political leaders take part.
The central idea of the present article is to show the importance of
Georgius of Hungaria's Tractatus de moribus, condictionibus et
nequicia Turcorum, an opus first published in 1481. The author gives
a vivid example of the fact that we must recognize the other in our
life. The other is our fellow human being, irrespective of color,
faith, doctrine, and gender. Although there is an apologetic spirit
in this treatise, as well as in the works of Saint John of Damascus
and Saint Gregory Palamas, with regard to the Muslim faith, their
basic idea is that we have to find a certain communion and feeling
with people of other creeds or religious views. The experience of
communion is the outstanding feature for the human being. The
end-point or the eschaton is the one toward which all of us are
called. The light of this end and the light of communion seem to
come from the East, still a cradle of civilization, and the visions
offered by these three authors mentioned above could provide us with
a premise for the ideology of alterity.
Keywords: Inter-religious dialogue, other, Muslim, Christians,
apologetic spirit, experience of communion.
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REVIEWS
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CONTRIBUTORS
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