One of the trademarks of Nicolai Hartmann’s ontology is his theory of levels of reality. Hartmann drew from many sources to develop his version of the theory. His essay “Die Anfänge des Schichtungsgedankens in der alten Philosophie” testifies of the fact that he drew from Plato, Aristotle, and Plotinus. But this text was written relatively late in Hartmann’s career, which suggests that his interest in the theories of levels of the ancients may have been retrospective. In “Nicolai Hartmann und seine (...) Zeitgenossen,” Martin Morgenstern puts the emphasis on contemporaries of Hartmann: Émile Boutroux, Max Scheler, Heinrich Rickert, Karl Jaspers, and Arnold Gehlen. But there is another plausible source for Hartmann’s conception of levels that has so far remained overlooked in the literature. Hartmann studied with and was influenced by Nikolai Lossky. Lossky has a theory of levels that he adopted from Vladimir Solovyov. Solovyov presents his theory of levels, among other places, in Oпpaвдaнie дoбpa, where he says that the five principal stages of the cosmogonic process of ascension toward universal perfection, which are given in experience, are the mineral or inorganic realm, the vegetal realm, the animal realm, the realm of natural humanity, and the realm of spiritual or divine humanity. This theory appears to bear significant similarities with the theory of levels of reality that Hartmann will develop a few decades later. Solovyov was widely read in Russia and it would be unlikely that Hartmann was not at least minimally acquainted with his work. Chances are that Hartmann came into contact with it in some details. An intellectual lineage could thus likely be traced from Hartmann back to Solovyov. In this paper, I document and discuss this possible lineage. (shrink)

The philosophical usage of the terms "value as worth" ("vartosti") and "value as costs" ("tsinnosti") in the Ukrainian language has been studied. It is proved that it needs its fundamental and conceptual philosophical clarification. It was revealed, in particular, that the use of the term "value as costs" ("tsinnosti") is unjustifiably and inappropriately widespread in the Ukrainian everyday and scientific language, while the Ukrainian language also has the term "value as worth" ("vartosti") and its derivatives, which denote the sphere of (...) significance, that is basic to any possible values. It is concluded that the Ukrainian language as a language of philosophy has its own potential, which in relation to the category of "worth" and its subordinate concept of "value as worth" turns out to be richer than the potential of older and most recognized languages of philosophy. It is about distinguishing three types of values: unconditional, conditional and negative values. Conditional values as worth in certain research situations can be called values as costs, at the same time it has been proven that unconditional and negative values cannot be values as costs, therefore it is necessary to rethink the use of the terms "value as worth" ("vartosti’) and "value as costs" ("tsinnosti’) not only in the field of philosophy common to all knowledge, but also in special areas of individual humanitarian, social and other sciences. In each such area, such a rethinking can lead to different contextual terminological solutions, but it is proposed to consistently adhere to the general principle of distinguishing between the terms "value as worth" ("vartosti") and "value as costs" ("tsinnosti"). (shrink)

The article presents a historical and philosophical analysis of happiness as a socio-cultural phenomenon, considers the proposed criteria and components of the state of happiness as well as proposes the author's integrative definition of happiness. The relevance of this study is determined by the importance of the actual humanitarian indicators in assessing socio-political progress. As a result of the analysis of how the concept of happiness was historically formed and developed, it was shown that (a) the concept of happiness became (...) widespread in the humanitarian discourse relatively late, (b) its predecessors are the ancient Greek concepts ofagathon(the good) andeudaimonia(welfare, prosperity, supreme good), (c) in Western European philosophy, the understanding of good is contradictory and includes a wide range of meanings, from utilitarian to axiological, (d) the content of the concept of happiness includes two aspects: one is in the person's power and the other is determined by external factors. The article analyzes modern theories of happiness and feelings of life satisfaction as well as scientific studies of the components of the state of happiness. As a result of the analysis of these approaches, it is shown that in most modern studies, the emphasis in understanding happiness is placed on either socio-biological or socioeconomic factors. The author examines the criteria for the state of happiness. The author quotes other researchers and proposes certain steps as an algorithm for determining happiness, i.e., a formula for happiness. The importance of harmony of the following components of the human personality and life is substantiated: the belief system (and living in accordance with one's beliefs), abilities (and the possibility of their implementation in professional, cognitive activity), geographical location of residence, as well as social circle (and the balance of socio-psychological proximity and distancing). (shrink)