The paper analyzes notions ‘education’ and ‘enlightenment’, their commonalities and differences. It is proven that though in ordinary perception these notions are treated as synonyms, from the standpoint of philosophical discourse it is not quite so. It makes sense to understand ‘enlightenment’ as the most profound cultural level of education, cultural maturity of a person (a society), a high level of personal development (both moral and intellectual), mental development, freedom from ignorance and prejudice. Enlightenment is opposed to ‘the smatterers’ (a term introduced by the famous writer), which tends to combine superficial awareness with cultural immaturity and even moral savagery. The paper presents the author’s reflections on promotion of enlightenment in our times and challenges on this path. Each era brings forth its own Enlightenment, its own ideas of education and ignorance, intelligence and stupidity, and eventually of the good and the evil. Enlightenment principles in very general terms may look the same for the 17-18th centuries and for modern times (for example, Descartes principle ‘to doubt everything’), but it is hardly probable that antischolastic, antimedieval nature of this principle is highly relevant for the present days. Many ideas of the New European Enlightenment great by their nature did not with- stand the tough test of the 20th century: blatant idealization of man and social relations was erroneous, and emotional and irrational side of the human nature, its potential propensity to nihilism and destructiveness, to the lust for power and violence was underestimated. Abilities of the mind, justified in scientific knowledge and technology were not justified in moral, political, social, and ideological sense. The ‘light of mind’ as a basis of any Enlightenment turned out to be too faint to illuminate the paths of people and enlighten them despite great achievements in science and technology. The spirit of Enlightenment by the beginning of the 21st century has not yet defeated the spirit of violence, fanatism and irrationalism. Apparently New Enlightenment is needed, which will not just illuminate the path of an imperfect man, but will teach him to live with dignity, skillfully using his own ‘lamp of Diogenes’. Everything said about the role of enlightenment in the modern education has direct implications for the educational process at the St. Petersburg Mining University, the goal of which as recently formulated by the Rector in his address to the associates of the Mining University is not only to train highly qualified specialists, but to raise ‘real Russian intellectuals, distinguished by their high level of education, high moral and ethical standards, decency and nobility of the soul’.
The article is dedicated to both examination of the scientific content of the art texts which were written by Oldous Huxley and study of art content of the scientific texts which were written by Austrian psychotherapist Zigmund Freid.
The notions of engineering thinking, the technical picture of the world, the engineer’s worldview and their forming in the process of modern education of engineers are studied.
The basic questions and stages of economic methodology are considered: revealing of the reasons of economic events; studying of the reliable economic facts; creation of economic theories; construction of empirical economic models; statement of an economic problem; a hypothesis formulation; forecasting of certain economic events, check of accuracy of forecasts, an estimation of results of forecasts.
Major relations of theoretical and extra-theoretical factors in literary theory and philology are dealt with, along with the specificity of theoretism in these spheres of the humanities.
The problem to create the scientific view of the world is analyzed. Basing on the importance of science in life of each person, urgency of the given issue for modern society is revealed. The value of scientific approach, which basic principles are based on natural-science notions, is shown for apprehension of complex processes in modern science. On the example of geology it is shown, that currently established facts and laws forming modern conceptions of processes determining the origin and development of the Earth, its structure and composition including those of the Earth’s outer spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere), are truly an integral part of the scientific view of the world.
Marketing principles are a basis for successful business operation, but they are to stand the test of changing market environment. Transformation of this environment – splitting-up markets, their fashion following and product range extension together with constantly growing competition – leads to the fact that strategy and organization structures are getting outdated with a breakneck speed. Strategic priorities of the future companies will focus on acceleration of their response to changes, adaptation of their products and services to requirements of their customers, enhancement of information systems and striving to higher quality standar.
The article focuses on the problem of the position of a woman leader in modern Russia. It is an urgent topic in our time. The article describes the current situation in Russian and world business. The reasons for unequal treatment of women in business are considered, socio-psychological characteristics of women entrepreneurs are highlighted, examples of various studies are given.The aim of the paper is to convince readers that in business and politics the main role should be played by knowledge, experience and professionalism regardless of gender. Only in this way will we achieve a more civilized level of our economy.
The state of devastation, the collapse of former ideals and the lack of new ones have brought Russia to the point where many people began to believe only in miracles. One of such "miracles" appeared in the form of pseudoscience, which today is a well-organized network of professional falsifiers. Another serious problem threatening reason and science both in Russia and in many other civilized countries is the revival of paranormal beliefs - archaic superstitions and notions of magical consciousness of ancient ages. Astrologers and psychics? Occultists and shamans, magicians and sorcerers promoting mysticism, magic, divination and prophecy have widely penetrated the market of services, especially in the field of medicine, psychology and education.
Some aspects of a wide range of issues related to the causes of economic myths, their influence on various spheres of society are considered, and the real processes behind them are described. The mechanisms of the influence of political structures on the economic environment and the stereotypes associated with them are depicted. The consequences of the economic policies pursued during the election campaign are shown. The changes in such indicators as demand, supply, employment, inflation rate and their not always correct interpretation are considered. The prospects for long-term economic growth, problematic knots in the modern Russian economy, and illusions related to the end of the protracted economic crisis are analyzed.
Одной из важных проблем в теории познания является вопрос о взаимоотношении обыденного и теоретического (философского и научного) сознания. Нет ни одной философской системы, где бы не затрагивался вопрос об обыденных человеческих представлениях и понятиях, о доверии или, напротив, о недоверии к так называемому обыденному здравому человеческому рассудку, базирующемуся на этих представлениях и понятиях ...
