Today, for cultural institutions, in particular, for libraries, the issue of evaluating the effectiveness of their activities is particularly relevant. There is still no single assessment methodology that takes into account the interests of all stakeholders: outside experts, library managers and staff, investors and sponsors of library activities. The purpose of the study is to develop an integrated methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of state cultural institutions, taking into account the needs of all potential users. The scientific novelty lies in (...) the development, based on the results of an empirical study, of an indicator for measuring the effectiveness of the activities of state cultural institutions, as well as an integrated methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of the library, taking into account the economic and non-economic interest of the activity and providing a comprehensive application of financial and managerial, information and organizational, control and analytical measures, which together contribute to improving the effectiveness of the activity. As a result, the author proposed a unified methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of state cultural institutions on the example of the Kostroma Regional Universal Scientific Library. (shrink)

In this article we analyze the methodological commitments of a radical embodied cognition approach to social interaction and social cognition, specifically with respect to the explanatory framework it adopts. According to many representatives of REC, such as enactivists and the proponents of dynamical and ecological psychology, sociality is to be explained by focusing on the social unit rather than the individuals that comprise it and establishing the regularities that hold on this level rather than modeling the sub-personal mechanisms that could (...) be said to underlie social phenomena. We point out that, despite explicit commitment, such a view implies an implicit rejection of the mechanistic explanation framework widely adopted in traditional cognitive science, which, in our view, hinders comparability between REC and these approaches. We further argue that such a position is unnecessary and that enactive mechanistic explanation of sociality is both possible and desirable. We examine three distinct objections from REC against mechanistic explanation, which we dub the decomposability, causality and extended cognition worries. In each case we show that these complaints can be alleviated by either appreciation of the full scope of the mechanistic account or adjustments on both mechanistic and REC sides of the debate. (shrink)

Hutto and Satne, Philosophia propose to redefine the problem of naturalizing semantic content as searching for the origin of content instead of attempting to reduce it to some natural phenomenon. The search is to proceed within the framework of Relaxed Naturalism and under the banner of teleosemiotics which places Ur-intentionality at the source of content. We support the proposed redefinition of the problem but object to the proposed solution. In particular, we call for adherence to Strict Naturalism and replace teleosemiotics (...) with autopoietic theory of living beings. Our argument for these adjustments stems from our analysis of the flagship properties of Ur-intentionality: specificity and directedness. We attempt to show that the first property is not unique to living systems and therefore poses a problem of where to place a demarcation line for the origin of content. We then argue that the second property is a feature ascribed to living systems, not their intrinsic part and therefore does not form a good foundation for the game of naturalizing content. In conclusion we suggest that autopoietic theory can not only provide a competitive explanation of the basic responding of pre-contentful organisms but also clarify why Ur-intentionality is attributed to them in such an intuitive manner. (shrink)

The article examines the subjective attitudes towards life chances of the Lithuanian youth (aged 18–35). Following the concept of life chances introduced by M. Weber (1920) (cited by Grusky 2001), the theoretical aspects of life chances are analysed. The empirical part of the paper is to survey the research results on the life chances of young people in Lithuania in 2023. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and survey research data, we can state that the subjective attitudes of young (...) people to life chances vary depending on age, gender, employment, and parents’ socio-economic status when the respondent is 14–15 years old. The survey research revealed that young people, who are currently not working or studying, or who identify themselves and their family with the lowest social class, most unfavourably evaluate their life chances. The scientific research is funded by the Lithuanian Science Council researchers group’s Project ‘Socio-economic Factors of Youth Life Chances Differentiation in Lithuania’ (Reg. No. S-MIP-22-42, contract date 18.03.2022). (shrink)

Disputes over causes play a central role in legal argumentation and liability attribution. Legal approaches to causation often struggle to capture cause-in-fact in complex situations, e.g. overdetermination, preemption, omission. In this paper, we first assess three current theories of causation to illustrate their strengths and weaknesses in capturing cause-in-fact. Secondly, we introduce a semi-formal framework for modelling causal arguments through strict and defeasible rules. Thirdly, the framework is applied to the Althen vaccine injury case. And lastly, we discuss the need (...) for new criteria based on a common causal argumentation framework and propose ideas on how to integrate the current theories of causation to assess the strength of causal arguments, while also acknowledging the tension between evidence-based and policy-based causal analysis in law. (shrink)

Disputes over causes play a central role in legal argumentation and liability attribution. Legal approaches to causation often struggle to capture cause-in-fact in complex situations, e.g. overdetermination, preemption, omission. In this paper, we first assess three current theories of causation to illustrate their strengths and weaknesses in capturing cause-in-fact. Secondly, we introduce a semi-formal framework for modelling causal arguments through strict and defeasible rules. Thirdly, the framework is applied to the Althen vaccine injury case. And lastly, we discuss the need (...) for new criteria based on a common causal argumentation framework and propose ideas on how to integrate the current theories of causation to assess the strength of causal arguments, while also acknowledging the tension between evidence-based and policy-based causal analysis in law. (shrink)

Disputes over causes play a central role in legal argumentation and liability attribution. Legal approaches to causation often struggle to capture cause-in-fact in complex situations, e.g. overdetermination, preemption, omission. In this paper, we first assess three current theories of causation to illustrate their strengths and weaknesses in capturing cause-in-fact. Secondly, we introduce a semi-formal framework for modelling causal arguments through strict and defeasible rules. Thirdly, the framework is applied to the Althen vaccine injury case. And lastly, we discuss the need (...) for new criteria based on a common causal argumentation framework and propose ideas on how to integrate the current theories of causation to assess the strength of causal arguments, while also acknowledging the tension between evidence-based and policy-based causal analysis in law. (shrink)

This article examines the concept of “perspective” as an embodied metaphor with ontological and epistemological implications for the modeling of historical understanding of contested pasts. The metaphors employed in modeling past reality shape how we make sense of the controversial past. In particular, I explore how perspectival metaphorical models conjure the notions of presence/proximity/engagement and absence/distance/detachment. To open this up, the paper juxtaposes two distinct models of seeing and knowing as sources of embodied metaphor: 1) static and distancing optical metaphors (...) of cognition, and 2) a “post-cognitive” process of interaction. I argue that the shift towards the affective, experiential and immersive forms of engagement in historical representation is indicative of the growing importance of dynamic, embodied and interactive features in mediated models of the past. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of virtual reality as an emergent medium that offers a new way of modeling the past. Despite its novelty, however, virtual reality raises age-old questions about the dynamics of engagement and detachment in historical understanding. (shrink)

This book provides a new approach to the intersections between music and philosophy. It features articles that rethink the concepts of musical work and performance from ontological and epistemological perspectives and discuss issues of performing practices that involve the performer’s and listener’s perceptions. In philosophy, the notion of essence has enjoyed a renaissance. However, in the humanities in general, it is still viewed with suspicion. This collection examines the ideas of essence and context as they apply to music. A common (...) concern when thinking of music in terms of essence is the plurality of music. There is also the worry that thinking in terms of essence might be an overly conservative way of imposing fixity on something that evolves. Some contend that we must take into account the varying historical and cultural contexts of music, and that the idea of an essence of music is therefore a fantasy. This book puts forward an innovative approach that effectively addresses these concerns. It shows that it is, in fact, possible to find commonalities among the many kinds of music. The coverage combines philosophical and musicological approaches with bioethics, biology, linguistics, communication theory, phenomenology, and cognitive science. The respective chapters, written by leading musicologists and philosophers, reconsider the fundamental essentialist and contextualist approaches to music creation and experience in light of twenty-first century paradigm shifts in music philosophy. (shrink)

Pastaruoju metu pasaulyje vis labiau populiarėja laimės kaip atskiros socialinių tyrimų srities studijos, nes vis daugiau dėmesio skiriama gyvenimo kokybės aspektams. Mokslininkai sprendžia klausimus: kas lemia, kad žmonės jaučiasi laimingi; ar esame laimingi vienodai; ką tai atskleidžia apie mus kaip visuomenę; ar skirtingų kartų žmonėms laimė reiškia tuos pačius dalykus; ar laisvoje aukštesnio gerbūvio visuomenėje formuojasi laimingesnių žmonių karta.Šiame straipsnyje, pasitelkiant 1990, 1999, 2008 ir 2017 metų Europos vertybių tyrimo duomenis, analizuojama laimės lygio dinamika Lietuvoje, siekiant išsiaiškinti, kaip skirtingi sociodemografiniai (...) ir kultūriniai veiksniai susirikiuoja į subjektyvios gerovės lygtį ir kaip tai susiję su gyventojų kartų kaita, ypatingą dėmesį skiriant vadinamosios Pirmosios nepriklausomybės kartos specifikai. Atlikta statistinė empirinių duomenų analizė atskleidė reikšmingus laimės jausenos skirtumus skirtingose Lietuvos gyventojų socialinėse kartose, net ir kontroliuojant kitus jai įtaką darančius veiksnius. (shrink)

Tongan people in Aotearoa New Zealand experience higher rates of mental health challenges than Tongans born in Tonga. Engagement with services is lower for Pacific Island groups than it is for the dominant population in Aotearoa New Zealand. Meanwhile, the Pacific population is growing in Aotearoa New Zealand year after year. This paper explores how services could use evidence to support more appropriate responses for Pacific Islanders, in particular, Tongan communities. It takes recovery in mental health and explores the relevant (...) concepts that would better support engagement and response for Tongans in Aotearoa New Zealand. (shrink)

Diskurso analitinis požiūris propagandos tyrime gali padėti ne tik ištirti propagandos turinį, žodyną, bet ir jo kūrimo kontekstą, kurio analizė tampa vis svarbesnė, plėtojantis sunkiau atpažįstamoms propagandos formoms. Šiame straipsnyje, taikant pusiau sisteminę literatūros apžvalgą ir dedukcinę teminę analizę, nagrinėjama, kaip jungiant propagandos ir diskurso terminus suvokiama propaganda bei kokiose tyrimų tematikose, interpretaciniuose kontekstuose ir kokius metodus pasitelkiant naudojama tokia jungtis. Į apžvalgą įtraukti anglų kalba 2012–2021 m. publikuoti mokslo darbai, kurių pavadinimuose minimi propagandos, diskurso ar propagandinio diskurso terminai. Tyrimo (...) rezultatai rodo, kad propagandos analizei pasitelkdami diskurso analitinį požiūrį, tyrėjai propagandą daugeliu atveju suvokia kaip neigiamą reiškinį, todėl jos analizei dažniausiai pasitelkia kritinę diskurso analizę. Propagandos ir diskurso terminų jungtis moksliniuose tyrimuose naudojama vis dažniau ir yra ypač būdinga visuomenę poliarizuojančių propagandinių pranešimų analizei. Tačiau moksliniuose darbuose propagandos ir diskurso terminų jungtis ne visada išplėtojama tinkamai. (shrink)

This article analyses implementation of freedom of assembly within Lithuania and in some other States of the European Union. Attention is paid to the differences in the implementation practices for this freedom while analysing probability of restriction of freedom of assembly in the light of legal, political and social factors. The article aims to substantiate that the quality of decision while adopting spreading ideas and expressed views during peaceful meetings, or adopting them later, or dismissing in general, is determined by (...) the democratic society being formed in the state during a particular period. On the other hand, although physical restriction of diffusion of ideas while implementing freedom of assembly is legitimate, it should not become the main control tool, since the development of the state in this direction is absolutely opposite to the expansion of democratic ideas in the society. Legal education should become the priority area of the policy conducted by the state. Particularly since this priority provides the security for the spread of best practices in democratic states, thus laying the grounds for effective prevention of expression of illegal behaviour. Such illegal behaviour may occur in the form of incitement of hatred and aggression in respect of persons who have different faith, race, nation or sexual orientation. The article substantiates that the real challenge faced by the modern democracy is security for practical implementation rather than the formal recognition and regulation of rights and freedoms. It has been found in practice that the implementation of freedom of assembly can be faulty restricted by the procedural justice. After evaluating experience of the States of the European Union and the way in which their national legal system is structured, the recommendations are made enabling a timely dispute settlement concerning the right of assembly, i.e., in order to prevent decision making process from becoming an obstacle for the implementation of freedom of assembly. It is pointed out that settlement of the dispute concerning the permission to hold a peaceful assembly after the date of the assembly is pointless and denies social importance of right of the assembly. (shrink)

The article provides an analysis on how much the standard court proceedings can be regarded as the research, which is performed by investigating by what manner and measures the justice in a procedural sense is implemented. It is generally acknowledged that the court, as a subject, solving a legal dispute, implements justice only in the case, when it ensures the impartiality towards all persons. The appropriate legal proceedings form a constituent part of the constitutional right to apply in the court. (...) The article aims at introducing certain aspects of the implementation of the principle of justice in the court proceedings of Lithuania. It is indicated that the lack of legal methodology results in different arguments of the rendered decisions and their unpredictability, therefore, it does not encourage to opt for the legal peace. The article is topical in a sense that it has not provided an analysis, on which the aspects of impartiality reveal themselves in the nowadays case law in particular cases and how it produces an effect on the approach to justice. In Lithuania, doctrinal presumptions were created for the freedom of the courts, upon which the courts started to formulate new procedural regulations. The freedom of the actions of judges is based on the aim to ensure a stronger safety in regard to the rights pertaining to one of the public groups, i.e. to disallow the domination of certain subjects over the others by eliminating inequality between the parties. The freedom of the actions of judges is also justified by the aim to render the right decision. However, the formulation of the new regulations according to the actual situation by too freely interpreting the norm of the proceedings, without having the doctrinal basis for that, causes the legal confusion, thus inconsistency in the case law appears, the inner contradictions arise and, in addition to that, there is a failure to follow the standard of impartiality. The individualisation of each legal dispute pursuant to the newly established procedural regulations creates the presumptions for legal instability. Upon the absence of doctrinal substantiation for the newly formulated procedural regulations, the risk arises for the courts to unduly avail of the competence granted to them, thus there will be no implementation of the justice attained. The approach, based on the demand for an individual safety, encourages to refuse the regulations, which are universally applied. Such conception of justice is characteristic for legal individualism, which is grounded in consumerism, by means of which the standard court proceedings are refused, while the extended sympathy theory becomes the starting point. The comprehension and observance of the legal methodology is one of the conditions for the development of the consistent case law. The presence of a clear method in the case law will allow to prevent from pursuing different legal conceptions, i.e. different reasoning of a court decision upon the similar circumstances, as well as it will prevent from speculating on the accepted legal position by refusing the legal argument. (shrink)

The article analyses enforcement of freedom of assembly, draws attention to faults of legal regulation of dispute settlement, and revises a possibility of restriction of freedom of assembly. The authors provide evidence that restriction of freedom of assembly by refusing to grant permission to hold a peaceful assembly, is not an effective measure, therefore, it is suggested to educate the public on legal issues in order to enlighten the society about detrimental effect of publicly expressed ideas that provoke national or (...) racial discord, to disclose actual intentions of people who instigate aggression, force and violence so that they do not attract and rally a sufficiently large part of the public. People usually believe that the society enjoys freedom of knowledge and the right to obtain all information, as well as all news that originate and spread across the market, as it creates a pre-requisite for strengthening the best and most useful culture projects resulting in the development of culture and, alongside, the law. (shrink)

Veganism is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon. In addition to being viewed as a dietary choice, it is also studied in various disciplines as a cultural movement, lifestyle, or even as a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy. Due to its complexity, there is a growing interest in studying veganism through sociological lenses. The aim of this research is to provide a systematic overview of the current sociological literature on veganism. This analysis follows the PRISMA systematic literature review protocol and (...) includes academic articles published in English between 2000 and 2022. The study has been organised around 3 main research questions to reveal the scope and intensity of sociological research on veganism, its methodological aspects, and the conceptualisation of veganism. The results suggest an emerging discourse of veganism as a lifestyle movement and the orientation of studies toward qualitative research. A variety of veganism concepts used in the sociological literature indicate the potential of different strands of research. (shrink)

This study aims to establish ideological effects of the pre-pandemic metaphor use in the mainstream media on users’ perceptions of their relationship with technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve that, 120 media articles from global mainstream media sources during the pre-pandemic period were collected and analysed at three levels: (1) metaphor identification; (2) deconstruction of conceptual source domains; (3) the coding of metaphorical expressions into psychological types of interpersonal relationships that are projected on technologies. The established metaphorical patterns were (...) tested in an online survey with 100 young adults and adults from Lithuania during the COVID-19 pandemic period of 2019-2020. The research findings resulted in the ideological perceptions of Reversed Agentivity and Mechanised Action characterising our relationship with technology and pointing out to the loss of individual autonomy, a lack of personal growth and more fragmented personal identity during the pandemic. (shrink)

Today, tourism, with its distinct and unique features, has become one of the largest and most profitable industries in the world economy and has provided a platform for changes in geographical spaces. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of religious tourism on the economic development of traditional settlements. The research method is descriptive and analytical. The independent variable is ‘religious tourism’, which is quantified by 10 components, and the dependent variables are ‘income’ and ‘employment’ in (...) tourist areas, which are studied with 10 components in Russia, respectively. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS software, then a Pearson’s correlation test and simple linear regression were used. Moreover, Geographic Information System (GIS) software was used to show the traditional spatial weighting of the study. The regression results show that religious tourism has been effective by 0.77 on income, 0.66 on employment, and 0.72 on the economy of traditional settlements. In fact, the development of religious tourism in areas with religious and traditional rituals has had a positive effect on creating employment, increasing income and economic prosperity. In general, religious tourism, with its structural and functional features, is considered an important factor in revitalising the economy of regions with this privilege. Contribution: This article has proven the strong role of religious tourism on the economy and tourism industry in Russia with a quantitative analysis, which deserves the attention of cultural and tourism policymakers. In addition, the results of this research can be considered by other countries with different religions. (shrink)

The purpose of the study is to consider the main provisions of the system approach to product quality management at the enterprise and to formulate the need for a comprehensive assessment of product quality. The scientific novelty lies in the step-by-step consideration of all factors, principles and aspects of quality management that affect the quality of products, and the formulation of priority areas of activity on the basis of them on the way to the development of a quality management system. (...) As a result of the study, the technical, economic, organizational and other types of measures that allow improving the quality of the product at each stage of its creation are considered, and the aspects that contribute to the development of a quality management system and the fundamental principles of its construction are identified. (shrink)

The purpose of the study is to reveal the features of the influence of empathy on the development of the sensory sphere of the younger school student in music lessons at school. The article focuses on the specifics of the formation of empathy, its connection with musical material. Scientific novelty lies in the substantiation of the purposeful development of the empathic sphere of children in music lessons, in the specification of its factors and criteria. As a result, the stages of (...) development of empathy, its connection with the life and sensory experience of the student, his behavior, personal characteristics, as well as the guiding role of joint creative activity with the teacher, which helps to develop the experience of the student's musical experiences, affects the formation of his feelings, develops the ability to recognize non-verbally expressed emotions by music, is revealed. (shrink)

The question of whether an artificial moral agent (AMA) is possible implies discussion of a whole range of problems raised by Kant within the framework of practical philosophy that have not exhausted their heuris­tic potential to this day. First, I show the significance of the correlation between moral law and freedom. Since a rational being believes that his/her will is independent of external influences, the will turns out to be governed by the moral law and is autonomous. Morality and freedom (...) are correlated through independence from the external. Accordingly, if the actions of artificial intelligence (AI) are determined by something or someone external to it (by a human), then it does not act morally and freely, but heteronomously. As a consequence of AI’s lack of autonomy, and thus lack of access to the moral law, it does not and cannot have a moral understanding that proceeds from the moral law. Another consequence is that it has no sense of duty, which would follow from the moral law. Thus, moral action becomes impossible for the AMA because it lacks autonomy and moral law, moral understanding and sense of duty. It is concluded that, first, AMA not only cannot be moral, but should not be that, since the inclusion of any moral principle would imply the necessity for the individual to choose it, making the choice of the principle itself immoral. Second, although AI has no will as such, which prima facie makes not only moral but also legal action impossible, it can still act legally in the sense of conforming to legal law, since AI carries a quasi-human will. Thus, it is necessary that the creation of AI should be based not on moral principles, but on legal law that prioritises human freedom and rights. (shrink)

The paper addresses the topical issue of implementing the Bologna system in the Russian higher education since its entering the common educational environment in 2003 and that of English as a Medium of Instruction as a language of instruction in Russian universities. The article presents the analysis of the current sources on the topic surveying the data on EMI in the higher educational institutions in Russia and abroad. The data show significant advancement in the system of EMI in foreign countries (...) whereas in Russia the process of establishing such a system is still under development. The undertaken research reveals sufficient discrepancies between the present day demands for the formalized layout of the EMI structure in the Russian higher education system and it's functioning in work. The author dwells on the topic at hand highlighting the importance of not only maintaining the structure of English as a Medium of Instruction in Russian universities but also designing and implementing the national system of such instruction in correlation with the global standards. (shrink)

The purpose of the study is to prove the national idea as a form of metaphysical cognition of the patriotic mechanism of reproducing ethnonational relations on the way to the legal state consolidation is not an independent phenomenon, but is directly dependent on metaphysical sociocultural representations and the specific feature of historical conditions. Scientific novelty lies in argumentation of patriotism is a national self-determination manifested outside, the origins of which are to a greater extent in the sphere of the irrational-mythological. (...) As a result, it was revealed that favorable factors in the formation of patriotism is a socially oriented legal state, the irrational aspirations of citizens. Patriotism grows alongside with the denunciation of religion. (shrink)

The purpose of the study is to determine measures to improve the efficiency of the personnel management system in the civil service. The article highlights the issues of improving the personnel management system in the civil service, identifies the features of personnel management in the civil service, touches upon the moments of motivation and incentives for civil servants. The authors carried out a sociological study among the employees of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Buryatia. Scientific (...) novelty lies in the proposed personnel management system, which, in contrast to the existing ones, reflects the specifics of the civil service and allows the most effective management decisions of personnel management. As a result, measures were identified that are aimed at efficient, fast and convenient work of the Ministry's employees, at retaining young specialists, effective motivation and interest of personnel in labor activities. (shrink)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the concept of the game and its presence in creative activity. The gameplay is presented as an important part of human life. The presence of both elements in a person's work shapes him as a "creative" and "creating" entity. The introduced characteristics are analyzed from the point of view of the historical context, where the concepts of a creative person and a person playing are equated to each other. Their similarity is established (...) on the basis of the description of the signs of the game revealed at the beginning of the XX century. Game and art are considered abstractly from a specific cultural background, as functions that organize a person and preserve an abstract character. The features of the game highlighted in the article are given as evidence that plastic art stores it at its core as well as musical art. Their division within the cult and myth has led to the question of whether there is a game in art. The solution to this question lies in the field of the role of the participant in the game. Analysis from the point of view of the roles of the "creator" and "observer" allows us to uncover misconceptions about applied art and its game function.The findings showed that the position of the "observer" does not always allow you to see a complete picture of the process of plastic creativity. Due to the secrecy of most of the activity in the inner world of the artist, the observer cannot see the mechanical work of the gameplay. On this basis, he concludes about the insufficiency of plastic art. Analysis from the position of a creative person, on the contrary, indicates the full compliance of applied arts with the gameplay. On this basis, it is indicated that the game is not only an abstract concept that characterizes a person's life, but also the main component of any creative process. (shrink)