Folia Humanistica et Socialia

A Limited Choice:Religious Belief in Simak’s A Choice of Gods

Jeffrey M. Baus — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Clifford D. Simak's A Choice of Gods offers a nuanced exploration of religious belief systems within science fiction. This essay reconsiders traditional critical approaches, arguing for the utility of an epistemic analysis of religious belief over purely sociological or anthropological perspectives. Employing an epistemological framework, it investigates how Simak depicts spirituality and religious belief through the prism of Paganism, drawing on Roy Clouser’s three categories of the divine from The Myth of Religious Neutrality. While Simak juxtaposes diverse religious traditions, the essay posits that the novel ultimately converges on a singular Pagan paradigm that informs the spiritual and epistemological journeys of its characters. By scrutinizing the belief systems of monastic robots, Indigenous characters, and other humans—through their engagements with faith, reason, and mystical experience—the analysis illuminates Simak's critique of organized religion and his recognition of the inevitability of faith when confronting the unknown. Ultimately, A Choice of Gods emerges as a speculative meditation on the epistemic function of religion and the human quest for truth in a post-human future.

First Dialect Retention of Mobile Speakers Regarding New Zealand English Vowels

Erika Sajtós — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The present study examines first dialect retention in the speech of expatriate New Zealand speakers through the acoustic analysis of the short front vowels, a stable and salient feature of this variety. The F1 and F2 values were measured for three expatriate and three lifelong New Zealand residents, followed by a comparative analysis. The results show that expatriate speakers converge to the dialect of destination by altering their pronunciation. In this process, the New Zealand realisation of these vowels is softened in their speech but does not disappear completely, resulting in a realisation closer to the standard pronunciation of the dialect of destination, with a significant difference between the formant values of expatriate and lifelong New Zealanders. The findings indicate that while the speakers accommodate to the new dialect they are exposed to, in order to fit in the speech community, they also aim to keep their original New Zealand identity, fulfilling two goals at the same time.

Citizenship Dynamics in the Soviet Borderlands: A Case Study of Armenians of Nakhijevan

Lilit Saghatelyan — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigates how ethnic groups in the peripheral regions of the Soviet Union experienced their social rights. Throughout the Soviet era, authorities implemented nation-building policies that oɼen involved delineating borders without consideration for ethnic or historical boundaries. Consequently, this approach has occasionally led to the emergence of multi-ethnic regions, of which Nakhijevan is a good example. The study makes a meaningful contribution to the academic understanding of the South Caucasus region, oɥering insights into the intricate interplay between historical policies, ethnic dynamics and contemporary challenges in the realm of social rights of citizenship. Because of the limited availability of archival materials, the study relies on oral history testimonies and focuses on the case of Armenians residing in Soviet Nakhijevan under the administration of Soviet Azerbaijan. To demonstrate that Armenians have a historical connection with Nakhijevan, the study introduces the concept of “historical citizenship”. It argues that Armenians of Nakhijevan regarded themselves as full citizens of the state since, in the Soviet Union, social rights were deɹned as core elements for inclusion in society. Furthermore, it contends that the coexistence of Armenians and Azerbaijanis under one state was facilitated by the notion of the “Soviet citizen” and that, despite facing certain challenges, Armenians consented to live under the rule of Azerbaijani authorities, seeking the opportunity to reside in their historical homeland.

Motivation of Educators in 2023

Anna Léna Józsa — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I am researching the motivations of educators. Why does one become a teacher, an early childhood educator or a kindergarten teacher? Why do they not leave this field even when the conditions are less than favourable? When will it be so bad that they quit and find another profession? What is a salary that would be satisfying for them? What are the difficulties they have to face during work? I asked more than 500 educators questions like these and more, looking for answers.

Application of Modern Archaeological Documentation Methods During the 2023 Excavation of the Medieval Castle at Nagykövesd

Mór Bendegúz Takáts — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The first systematic archaeological excavation of Nagykövesd Castle was conducted in 2023 by the Institute of Archaeological Sciences and the Archaeological GIS Laboratory of Pázmány Péter Catholic University, in collaboration with the Barsi Museum and the Community Archaeology Association — the research aimed to gather reliable data for the reconstruction and conservation of the castle. Traditional excavation methods were complemented with modern techniques, including 3D photogrammetry, drone surveys and QGIS-based mapping. The excavation uncovered late medieval structures in the upper castle, while non invasive surveys identified traces of roads and collapsed walls. Digital technologies such as high-resolution 3D models ensured precise documentation and supported the interpretation of the findings. The excavation demonstrates how traditional and modern methods can effectively complement each other in archaeological research.

Smaller Ballet Performances at the Hungarian Royal Opera House During Gustav Mahler’s Tenure

Hedvig Ujvári — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The scholarly examination of Gustav Mahler’s tenure in Budapest (October 1888–March 1891) has primarily focused on his roles as artistic director and conductor as well as the compositional history of his Symphony No. 1. However, following the inauguration of the Hungarian Royal Opera House in 1884, the ballet repertoire, along with operas, was transferred from the National Theatre to the Hungarian Royal Opera House, warranting further investigation into this aspect of his directorship. This study aims to shed light on the reception history of two lesser-known ballets, A négy kérő (The Four Suitors) and A párisi festők (The Parisian Painters), which have so far remained on the periphery of academic discourse. The analysis relies exclusively on reports and reviews published in contemporary Hungarian and Germanlanguage press in Budapest.

Religious Charity or Christian Mission: The Implementation of Spirituality in Church Social-Charitable Organisations

Richárd Zagyva — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Giving, distributing aid and feeding the homeless are all stereotypes with which Christian good works are oɼen identiɹed. Charitable service is now a diverse and institutionalised task, the target group of which cannot be reduced to the poor; it must be universal to marginalised people. The target groups of the church’s mission include the victims of humanitarian disasters as well as the disadvantaged, marginalised and less identiɹable people in need. The paper presents the possibilities and concrete examples of the church’s pastoral action regarding Caritas Hungarica. The activities of the organisation are motivated, guided and deɹned by the Holy Bible, the teaching and tradition of the Catholic Church, and a loving personal encounter with people in need. “Caritas” embodies the church’s love for the poor, the excluded and marginalised, and the exercise of divine mercy. Through the example of Caritas Hungarica, this paper examines how spirituality can be made a dominant element in the functioning of an organisation, in its documents and daily practice.

A Book on Medieval Crimea

Balázs Jancsik — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Book review

Review: Archaeological Studies on the Settlement History of the Bodrogköz in the 10th–11th Centuries

Judit Szigeti — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Review