Humanism: Dangerous Illusion, Desperate Faith or Duty of Time? :: Education Learning Philosophy Papers

Humanism: Dangerous Illusion, Desperate Faith or Duty of Time? Abstract: In antiquity, the idea of padeia organically joined learning and education. In today's world it remains the essence of culture. However, philosophy is now characterized by a spirit of pragmatism that correlates present-day needs with actual sociocultural trends. Humanism can seem today nothing more than an illusion, an unrealizable utopia. Nevertheless, philosophy in its educative role should shape a attitude to life that is not only deep and universal but humanistic as well. The present congress, developing the themes of the previous one ("The mankind at the turning-point"), concretizes them, marking a special role of philosophy in "education of humanity". In this aspect reference to the antique "paideia" notion, organically combining education and upbringing, is not casual. The motto of the last philosophical congress in this century grasps the tendencies and needs of culture which begun to show of late. That's what is the prerogative of philosophy as "a permanent watchman, guardian of culture". He is so historically, socially and culturally determined that humanity greets a turn of centuries, the so much of millennia, jubilating and worrying at the same time. The situation so fraught with possibilities and dangers if not satisfied may lead to crush of the mankind that has proved bankrupt. We have found ourselves in the bifurcation process admitting as well "the end of history" in its most tragic sense. Philosophy plays the most important part in formation, basing of new values, innoticing emerging trends, choice of arising variants. Reflexing over culture as a whole philosophy allows to correlate the needs and potenties of the current moment with actual trends. Combining the prognostic and projective functions philosophy forms the sprouts of new world outlooks and conditions of "natural" refusal of obsolete, out of date ones. This role is not conspicuous: philosophical thought must be ready for the fact that penetrates public consciousness neither directly nor immediately, but implicitly, gradually, embracing the most diversified spheres of spiritual activity and only in long time achieving the status of the spiritual objectivized. So much more comprehensive, deep and prolonged its impact is. It has been correctly stated that these were Kant and Hegel who had the most influence over their contemporaries' minds (so few of them actually knew their works, at that). Well-known is Martin Luther King's role in stopping the Vietnam war, changing the whole mentality of the American nation, not so long ago allowing "witc hhunt" and racism.