The controversial idea of a 'science of human nature' raises serious issues in philosophy and philosophical psychology. The questions arising in this respect involve the gradual and ordinarily unnoticed transformations of our beliefs about the reality of human beings among the educated people. The employment of scientific technique in almost every phase of human life has somehow given rise to a dehumanisation of the human. In so far as we are impressed by the successful scientific experiments, we ignore this dehumanism. (...) Consequently, we are willing to allow science to reduce our own human status to that of a biological organism with a complex nervous system and brain. Now it is no more simply a theoretical question about our own reality because there are cases of actual manipulation of human body on behalf of the unquestioned assumptions about the organismic nature of human beings. Genetic engineering and neurophysiology are two fields of inquiry mostly active in this direction. This article is an attempt to point out a most serious philosophical issue arising out of this. This issue is that the scientist takes human thought and consciousness, which are the most valuable, unique and distinctive human characterisation, as secondary and insignificant aspect compared with the biological and physiological processes. Thought is considered as an after effect of neurophysiological processes of brain. Now this is an unjustifiable assumption which cannot in any way be verified. The reasons for the impossibility of reduction of thought and consciousness to neurological level are offered by many quarters. Some of the most important reasons are discussed in this paper. (shrink)

Investors' confidence in the financial market is boosted by good corporate governance (CG). Good governance builds trust and improves an organization's financial performance (FP). However, organizations with bad management lose the trust of their stakeholders because they do not perform well financially. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of CG 89; on FP through mediating the role of humble leadership (HL) and monetary incentive (MI) as a moderator between CG and HL. Data were collected from (...) 300 respondents who were working in various cement manufacturing organizations located in different cities of Pakistan. The analysis was performed using SPSS software version 25 and AMOS version 22 software to work out the study sample size. The result revealed that the framework of CG has a positive impact in terms of FP. Furthermore, HL positively and significantly mediates on CG, and FP is inextricably linked. However, MI acts as a moderator between CG and HL, but despite strengthening, it weakens the impact of CG' on HL. This study contributes toward the literature, specifically toward the expectancy theory literature. Finally, some theoretical and practical implications at the organizational level are offered, describing how CG influences FP within the organization, and research limitations and future directions are presented. (shrink)

The comparative analysis of Hesychasm in the late Byzantine Orthodox Church and Sufism in the Islamic tradition illuminates intriguing parallels and distinctions in their spiritual frameworks. Emphasizing the significance of spiritual experiences through prayer, Hesychasm, rooted in Orthodox spirituality, focuses on hesychia and the prayer of the heart. Sufism, within the Islamic tradition, centers on dhikr, the continuous remembrance of Allah. Despite shared teachings on the heart and continuous prayer, the traditions diverge in practices, such as the Jesus Prayer in (...) Hesychasm and the invocation of Allah's name in Sufism, contributing to the rich tapestry of spiritual experiences. This comparative exploration offers nuanced insights into diverse ways spiritual seekers engage with the divine across cultures. Recognizing universal quests for connection with the transcendent, the analysis contributes to the broader dialogue on mysticism and spirituality. The discussions on divine light, knowledge of God, and transformative processes underscore shared themes, while differences in theological nuances highlight the unique paths individuals traverse in their spiritual journeys. Ultimately, both Hesychasm and Sufism emphasize the experiential dimension of spirituality, fostering profound encounters with the divine despite their theological and philosophical distinctions. (shrink)

In the present study, we tried to deal with the controversial concept of Alevism. Over the years, it has drawn our attention that controversial concepts have increased remarkably in various articles and studies. Especially heterodoxy, orthodoxy, syncretism, etc. It has been seen that the main concepts come to the fore as the main discussion axis in Alevism studies. However, without knowing what these concepts are, Alevism is being dragged into completely different channels with the tendency of slogans such as "Alevism (...) is heterodoxy, Alawism is syncretism". From this point of view, the need to deal with controversial concepts that create the hidden agenda has emerged. From this point of view, we tried to deal with the main platform concepts and discussions encountered in Alevism studies. In particular, we tried to deal with the controversial concepts formed around the speculations produced by the West and that create the hidden agenda. The Ottoman Safavid rivalry attracted the attention of Europe which sought to expand its research and experience in the field. To date, incomparable literature has been produced in this field. Over time, this literature has become a reference source for modern Alevism studies. Although these studies are partially objective, the ambassadors, clerics, travelers, and researchers who wrote them could not escape the influence of the educational, cultural, and religious political perspective from which they came. This accumulation, which was transferred to the present over time, was transmitted to other generations and formed a tradition of perception. Alevism, which was condemned to vicious circles such as sectarianism, left-wing radicalism, etc., was included in the script of studies that aimed at politicization, marginalization, and conceptual distortions by separating it from the religion of Islam. But at the same time, the changes in knowledge and methods produced by each period were reflected in this literature. In this context, the research products on Alevism have formed the information infrastructure in politicization and orientation activities. This long-standing interest of the Europeans eventually allowed the emergence of new concepts and some evaluations from their own perspectives. Due to the lack of systematic theology of Alevism and its structure as a mythological theological understanding based on oral literature and traditions, no consensus could be reached on the definition. As a natural result of this, Alevism operates with the belief that it is in a race to be defined by different people and groups, and each one of them is the right one. Thus, Alevism is an emotional state where everyone can speak and even feel themselves in absolute truth. As a method, we tried to examine the leading controversial concepts with their current counterparts in a concrete way, so that they can find concrete answers in the minds of researchers. In addition, we have tried to deal with the works that set the agenda in the past and today. Thus, it will reflect the general view of the controversial concepts of Alevism. This situation of Alevism has attracted the attention of orientalist researchers (George White, Irène Mélikoff, Marcus Dressler, Hans Lucas Kieser) in the historical process, and they have shown interest in this field with political, ideological, religious, and other motives. While doing this, they preferred to use the concepts found in the history of Christianity and Judaism in the field of Alevism. These researchers have used the historical understanding and patterns of their cultures, such as Christianity and Judaism, to which they originally belonged, in interpreting Alevism. All these approaches prevent the correct perception of Alevism and lead to an environment of mental confusion and chaos. It has caused Alevism to move away from the scientific understanding it deserves. (shrink)

İngilizler, Oryantalizm alanında önemli çalışmalar ortaya koymuşlardır. Geçmişte İngilizler ilk dönemlerinden itibaren İslamiyet hususunda bilgi birikimleri üst seviyelere ulaştığı halde, Şiîlik çalışmaları işin içine dâhil olduğunda daha geç tarihlere rast gelmiştir. İngilizlerin Şiilik alanında çalışmalarının hayata geçmesiyle ilginç hususiyetler kendini göstermiştir. Bilgi-siyaset, siyaset-bilgi denklemleri İngilizlerin Orta Doğu coğrafyasındaki etki ve icraatlarında değişmeyen hareket noktası olmuştur. Safevîler döneminden başlayarak, Dünya savaşları sürecinde saha hâkimiyetlerinin arka planında yüksek bilgi birikimi kendini göstermiştir. Ortadoğu bugün bile bu etkiden hala kurtulamamıştır. Çalışmamızın ana ekseni olan (...) İngiliz erken dönem Şiilik çalışmalarının genelinde göze çarpan hususları arz ettikten sonra bu alanda zirveye noktaya ulaşmış İngiliz Araştırmacı Thomas Herbert’i incelemeye çalıştık. Herbert, dönemin Şia düşüncesini, sokakta yaşayan hayatını ve bizzat kendi gözlemlerinden aktarması bakımından oldukça benzersizdir. Bize aktarmış olduğu bazı adetler ve davranışlar bugün mevcut olmaması bakımından tarihi belge niteliğindedir. (shrink)

In the Indian context; contributed articles.

This study was undertaken to investigate the outcome of using the activity based learning method on the development of writing skills of students of grade 6. The study used pretest post-test equivalent group design. 50 students were randomly selected from a government school as sample for this study. They were divided into experimental and control groups based on the scores they achieved in pre-test. Students in the experimentalgroup received instruction through activity based method of learning. In contrast, the traditional method (...) of teaching writing was used for teaching the control group. A comparison of pre- and post-test scores on writing measure evidenced that the experimental group performed better that the control group on writing post-test. It was concluded that activities helped enhance the writing skills of the experimental group. This finding suggests that students of elementary level should be engaged in activity based learning to enhance their writing skills. (shrink)

Babur: Timurid Prince and Mughal Emperor, 1483–1530 By DaleStephen Frederic, xv + 242 pp. Price PB £18.99. EAN 978–1107107267.

The Hazaras, who are considered among one of the Turkish tribes that have emerged in the region of Afghanistan with the Mongol invasions, have found their place in historical sources and texts ever since the 13th century. Likewise, Hazaras were also mentioned in the Bâburnâma, a memoir penned in Chaghatai Turkic by Babur Shah, one of the most important figures in the history of Islamic states and the founder of the Mughal empire. The Bâburnâma represents the first of its (...) kind, detailing the military activities and events that he lived through, starting with his rise to power at a young age in Fergana to his struggles in Delhi. In addition to being a statesman, Bâbur Shah was a stellar observer and was bestowed with an analytical mind, as seen in the Bâburnâma which included invaluable information regarding the manners and demeanors of Hazaras and where they lived. This work conducts a comparative analysis of the Bâburnâma's Turkish translation by Reşit Rahmet Arat and its English translation by Anette Susannah Beveridge, as well as reviewing the literature regarding the origin and emergence of the Hazaras. There is scant research concerning the tribes referred to in the Bâburnâma and up until today, there has been no consensus on the history of the Hazaras. This work hopes to fill the gap in the literature as it is the first time the Hazaras have been the subject of stand-alone research. (shrink)