Journal of the Belarusian State University. Philosophy and Psychology
The authors who are published in this journal agree to the following: The authors retain copyright on the work and provide the journal with the right of first publication of the work on condition of license Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial. 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). The authors retain the right to enter into certain contractual agreements relating to the non-exclusive distribution of the published version of the work (e.g. post it on the institutional repository, publication in the book), with the reference to its original publication in this journal. The authors have the right to post their work on the Internet (e.g. on the institutional store or personal website) prior to and during the review process, conducted by the journal, as this may lead to a productive discussion and a large number of references to this work. (See The Effect of Open Access.)
The phenomenon of historical memory throughthe prism of disciplinary approaches
This article presents a classification of works devoted to the study of the phenomenon of historical memory. A systemic and comparative analysis of this phenomenon is conducted within the framework of social and humanitarian approaches. Key features of the areas related to these approaches are described. It is established that the sociological approach, due to its cognitive potential and the ability to obtain a representative empirical base, can serve as the core of an interdisciplinary strategy for the study of historical memory. A philosophical approach appears promising for studying new aspects of the phenomenon of historical memory in the absence of access to a large number of information sources. An anthropological approach allows us to establish a correspondence between the theses postulated by individuals about the content of their own historical memory and their manifestations in the everyday lives of informants. Political science and psychological approaches provide information on the phenomenon of historical memory from the perspective of aspects lying beyond the subject field of sociology (the legislatively enshrined position of government bodies regarding historical memory and its unconscious content). Historical, linguistic, and literary approaches allow us to turn to the study of additional sources, such as photographs, artifacts, and media materials. It is noted that the conclusions obtained using each of the approaches make a significant contribution to the understanding and interpretation of the phenomenon of historical memory in specific sociocultural conditions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of the Belarusian State University. Philosophy and Psychology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The wisdom of the book «Alone with myself. Reflections» by Marcus Aurelius
This article examines the views of the ancient Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius on the structure of the universe and the norms of Stoic morality, as set forth in his book «Alone with myself. Meditations». The concepts of the human soul and mind (spirit and intellect) are explored. It demonstrates how the philosopher distinguishes between those aspects of human behaviour predetermined by divine providence and those aspects that depend on the individual and are closely linked to their attitude toward themselves. In this regard, the ancient Roman Stoic’s book focuses particularly on a person’s life position, their value orientations, their ideas of good and evil, their self-esteem, and their attitudes toward others. The article analyses the opinions expressed in the work on the meaning of life, the goals and tactics of human activity, positive personal and professional qualities, and education and self-improvement.
The family institution in the context of systemic risks: a Confucian alternative to postmodernism
This article analyses the systemic risks threatening the family institution in the 21st century: demographic crisis, economic insecurity, cultural and moral shift, conflicting new gender expectations, ect. It is shown how the value and methodological resources of Confucianism can be used to mitigate them. It is noted that these risks mutually reinforce each other and form a system that undermines the stability of the family institution. A four-component strategy for preserving the institution of the family is proposed, based on the Confucian principles of true governance and personal example.
Irrational beliefs and social and psychological adaptation in adults with chronic pain
Adults with chronic pain were found to have pronounced irrational should beliefs about themselves and others, as well as higher levels of irrational thinking in general. These differences were found to be statistically significant. A significant number of correlations were found between the variables studied: the higher the irrationality of thinking, the lower the respondents’ socio-psychological adaptation. In the group of adults with chronic pain, the highest number of correlations were found between the «catastrophising», «should beliefs about others», and «low frustration tolerance» scales and social and psychological adaptation indicators.
Quantitative component of population development dynamics
This article examines the quantitative component of population development dynamics, coupled with the analysis of natural and mechanical population movement indicators. In order to determine the specifics of the demographic situation in Belarus, the aging rate and population density are also considered.
Socio-psychological aspects of religiosity (a case of Belarusian Tatar Muslims)
A working definition of religion is proposed, and its aspects such as experience, system, and tradition are differentiated. The dichotomy of the sacred (ritual) and profane (everyday) spheres of worldview and lifestyle of religion followers is characterised. It is determined that the symbolism of the boundary between the sacred and the profane signifies its conventionality and leads to the partial blurring of the canonical purity of religion on its periphery, where the profane dominates, while maintaining the canon on the axis of its transmission, where the sacred is protected. The mission of those followers of the religion who specialise in the knowledge of the canon and the performance of rituals (priests) is outlined in relation to the erosion of the canon. It is stated that their tasks include a critical analysis of the para-, non-, and foreign-religious components that infiltrate the content of the religion on its periphery (at the level of everyday practices of ordinary followers) and the canonically acceptable integration of these components into the religious system.
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of the Belarusian State University. Philosophy and Psychology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Economic culture of the Republic of Belarus population: normative model and current state
It is noted that a sociological assessment of the effectiveness of ongoing reforms requires understanding the extent to which the current economic culture of the population corresponds to the economic development model and state policy priorities. The economic culture of residents of the Republic of Belarus is examined, and the normatively established and desirable characteristics of the population’s economic culture are compared with its current characteristics at the current stage of social development. Scientific literature, regulatory documents, empirical sociological research data, and statistical data are analysed. Conclusions are drawn regarding the degree to which the current state of the economic culture of residents of the Republic of Belarus corresponds to normative concepts.
Analysis of the sexual dimorphism problem in the context of orthodox anthropology
The article considers the dynamics of the problem of sex in the historical-philosophical key. The structure of Orthodox anthropology is highlighted. Reconstruction of the concept of gender within the framework of Orthodox doctrine of man was carried out, the main reasons were indicated and the specificity of sexual dimorphism.
Ethnofolism and facets of ethnic tolerance
The article examines the problem of the axiological connotation of secondary ethnonyms. It is argued that ethnopholisms are not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a sociocultural one, and their study requires a philosophical approach. The article emphasises that in the context of intense migration processes and global instability, it is crucial to identify and prevent the escalation of ethnocultural tensions or potential conflicts. The article explores the essence of ethnopholisms, highlighting their diversity and functional characteristics. The concepts of exoethnonym and endoethnonym (autoethnonym) are distinguished, and the correlation between the self-designation of an ethnic community and auto- and he­terostereotypes are emphasised. It is proven that the use of ethnopholisms is a peculiar indicator of interethnic tension.
Conflictogenic situation of the global world: incompatibility of institutions instead of clash of civilizations
Nation-states remain key players in global politics. However, in a globalised world, politics is being implemented in a transnational space. Local-civilizational and civilization-stage concepts of sociodynamics lay claim to understanding transnational conflicts in the post-national era. The emergence of preconditions for conflict-generating processes is explained by the incompatibility of local-civilizational identities or the discrepancy between the technical and institutional organisation of agrarian, industrial, and post-industrial civilizational waves. In the global space of flows that has transformed the political and economic space of places, elements of various civilizational complexes, considered from both local-civilizational and civilization-stage research perspectives, are situationally combined, which prevents the identification of the essential factor initiating conflicts on a subnational, national, and supranational scale within the context of the civilizational approach. An alternative to the indicated civilizational concepts is the concept of limited and open access social orders, which describes two mutually exclusive institutional systems that coexist in a global world but differ fundamentally in the organisation of violence, as well as the production and distribution of wealth. In the proposed research perspective, global conflict-generating processes are not manifestations of a clash of civilizations, but rather the consequence of the coexistence of two mutually exclusive modes of inclusion and the organisation of violence in a context of deterritorialisation.
Features of understanding ethnic problems in German classical philosophy
This article provides a historical and philosophical overview of the development of ethnic issues in German classical philosophy. It analyses the writings of German philosophers (I. Kant, G. W. F. Hegel, and J. G. Fichte), whose works directly or indirectly address the ethnic issues. It is emphasised that a particular difficulty in reconstructing the philosophical legacy of the Enlightenment is presented by the semantically heterogeneous categorical apparatus, within which the concepts of «nation», «race», «ethnicity», and «people» often acted as identical and interchangeable categories.
The structure of value as a social phenomenon
The study of values is a complex and comprehensive issue that touches on a wide range of human life. The very concept of value, due to its fluidity and wide variety of interpretations, differs across cultures and societies. Furthermore, the values of younger generations conflict with those of older generations. Given the changing form and content of today’s values, there is a need to study them as a three-part unit.
External and internal religiosity of a person with various traumatic experiences
This article presents a description of G. Allport’s concept of individual religiosity and analyses its shortcomings. It is determined that an intrinsically religious individual is characterised by greater religious maturity due to their reliance on genuine religious motives and the value of religion. Such individuals exhibit more mature religious traits, attitudes, value orientations, motives, worldview, and behaviour. An extrinsically religious individual, in turn, is characterised by lesser religious maturity due to their reliance not on internal qualities, but on religion as a means of achieving goals and satisfying needs. Using the utility criterion, it is established that an intrinsically religious individual exhibits lower utility in the context of achieving personal goals. An extrinsically religious individual is distinguished by greater utility, i. e., their personality traits, motives, attitudes, values, and worldview are based on the utility of religious actions either for themselves (extrinsic personal factor) or for society (extrinsic social factor). It was found that an internally religious person overcomes traumatic experiences more effectively than an externally religious person due to differences in the mechanisms for coping with such experiences and the availability of resources for this.
The theory of communicative action and the idea of a post-secular society by Habermas: critical interpretation in the Chinese version of neo-Marxism
The article explicates the fundamental tenets of Habermas’ theory of communicative action, emphasising its organic alignment with his ideas on the role of the political public sphere in the development of democratic foundations and institutions in Western societies. It notes that Habermas’ idea of a post-secular society may offer a promising way out of the impasses of radically secularised societies. The article explores the socially constructive, ideologically engaged, and utopian aspects of the ideas and concepts of communicative rationality, deliberative democracy, and post-secular society. It also examines the modernisation practices of contemporary China, its characteristic technologies of social governance, and the spiritual traditions of the interpenetration of secular and religious components in the cultural life.
Traditions of Сonfucianism in the higher education system of modern China
The paper examines the meaning-defining role of the Confucian tradition in Chinese culture and education. It substantiates the methodological principles of analysing the Confucian tradition as an essential component of the Chinese system of modern higher education. The paper explicates the main concepts and values of the Confucian philosophy of education. It also explores various interpretations of the role and status of Confucianism in the practical implementation of the strategy for modernising Chinese university education. The paper emphasises the ideological and axiological potential of this educational tradition. The article analyses the social and educational challenges of incorporating Confucian practices into modern Chinese society and discusses some suggestions for preserving and strengthening the influence of Confucianism in the Chinese university education system.
core values and basic concepts of Confucian philosophy of education
The development of concepts of the resilience phenomenon in foreign psychology
The article presents the results of an analysis of international scientific research on psychological resilience. Four waves of research on this phenomenon are identified. The first wave was phenomenological in nature, with scientists seeking to identify the specific characteristics of resilient individuals. In the second wave of research, scientists focused on the influence of environmental factors on individual resilience. The third wave was a period of intervention studies and experimental interventions aimed at exploring ways to enhance resilience. During the fourth wave, psychologists examined resilience as a multi-layered phenomenon, the study of which involves interaction between psychology and other fields of scientific knowledge.
Construction and implementation of children’s psychological assistance programmes in the context of evidence-based psychotherapy
The article presents the programmes of psychological assistance to primary school children with behavioural and communication problems, which are designed on the basis of methodological principles of concrete-scientific level. The structure of the programme includes request for the assistance, analysis of the child’s problem on the basis of biopsychosocial model, the process of building therapeutic relationship, block of goals and tasks, description of the processes supporting the problem, programme modules with characteristics of the used complex methods of work with the child.
concrete-scientific level of methodology
Philosophical and social foundations of the internationalisation of higher sports education in China
The article identifies and analyses the ideological and social foundations of the internationalisation of higher sports education in China, which is the basis for building a modern model of Chinese sports education. In the context of the specifics of the perception of physical education and sports in the national tradition, the article explores the socio-philosophical ideas and attitudes of traditional Chinese philosophy, value preferences of modern Chinese society, emphasises the importance of promoting national sports as an significant element of higher sports education and physical education in general. Based on the study of theoretical sources and practical work the strategy for enhancing the reputation of national Chinese sports and higher sports education in the international arena is analysed. The role of the massification of physical education and sports as a social basis for the internationalisation of higher sports education in China is considered.
Communication reactions to the situation of provocation of jealousy in same-sex and opposite-sex friendship: a comparative analysis
The article discusses the results of an empirical study of differences in communication reactions to the situation of provocation of jealousy in same-sex and opposite-sex friendships. It is noted, that regardless of the type of friendship, the dominant strategies for both men and women are integrative communication, negative affective expression, and compensation (restoration). In men in same-sex friendships, communicative reactions to the situation of provocation of jealousy such as active distancing, avoidance (denial), distributive communication, control (restriction), compensation (substitution), and manipulation are less pronounced than in opposite-sex friendships. For women in same-sex friendships, compared to opposite-sex friendships, communicative reactions to the situation of provocation of jealousy such as active distancing and compensation (substitution) are more typical, but contact with the rival is less common. Four patterns of communication reactions to the situation of provocation of jealousy are identified and described: 1) destructive pattern; 2) constructive pattern; 3) avoidance pattern; 4) servility pattern.
reactions to the situation of provocation of jealousy
A study of sociocultural factors in the decline of the birth rate based on a survey of women
This article examines the sociocultural factors behind China’s declining birth rate. It analyses the economic, social, cultural, psychological, and biological causes of the demographic crisis, as well as the impact of urbanisation, career ambitions, and changing values on women’s reproductive behaviour. It presents the results of a survey of 400 Chinese women. Particular attention is paid to the consequences of China’s one-child policy and traditional gender roles. Measures to support families and increase the birth rate are proposed.
Markers of emotional burnout experience in teachers
The author examines the essence of emotional burnout based on the attitude of a specialist to the activity performed. Through the phenomenological method of analysing transcripts of thematic interviews of teachers and subsequent content analysis of the results, markers are identified that reliably indicate the emotional burnout experience. It was found that when verbalising professional experience, respondents with varying degrees of emotional burnout mostly refer to the same categories. During the analysis, the identified categories are correlated with the components of K. Maslak’s three-dimensional burnout model. It is indicated that the results obtained can supplement the existing tools of practicing psychologists in the diagnosing emotional burnout and working with this condition.
Forms of emotional abuse in the sphere of parent – child relationships
The article describes the essence of psychological abuse. A typology of psychological abuse is proposed, the criterion of which is the sphere of mental development (cognitive sphere (cognitive development, personality abilities) and psychosocial sphere (emotional, personal and social development)). A definition of emotional abuse is proposed, considered as a form of psychological abuse which consists in the systematic forced oppressive impact of the aggressor on the emotional sphere of the victim, violating the consistency between her true emotions, feelings and their expression. The following forms of emotional abuse against children are considered: devaluation of emotions and feelings; emotional coldness and ignoring; ban on expressing true emotions; formation of feelings of guilt and shame; intimidation; emotio-nal fusion due to overprotection and excessive control; uncontrolled change of emotions, or «emotional swings». The consequences of various forms of emotional abuse for children are presented.
Relationships of procrastination with smartphone addiction, social media addiction, academic motivation and self-control in communication
The article presents the results of the study of the relationship between procrastination and smartphone addiction, social media addiction, academic motivation, and self-control in communication. Positive relationships between procrastination and smartphone addiction, social media addiction, self-control in communication, as well as introjected and external motivation were revealed which means a negative relationship between procrastination and academic motivation. It is noted that the positive relationship between procrastination and self-control in communication obtained in this stu-dy is a new result.
Theoretical and methodological grounds for designing programmes of psychological support for children in the context of cognitive-behavioural therapy
The article discusses the possibility of applying the methodological principles of constructing proven-effective psychological assistance programmes to building assistance programmes for children. At the specific scientific level, the principles of adaptability to cultural and environmental conditions are analysed; the dialectical unity of the modes of acceptance and change; language as a factor of pathologisation and a tool for psychocorrection; the orientation of the programme towards mastering a person’s own behaviour and thinking; taking into account the context of behaviour and thinking; orientation towards processes that support a problem or disorder; orientation towards the integration of tools; integration cognitive and metacognitive levels of working with thinking; the verifiability of the effectiveness of the programme and the predictability of its effects; the programme’s focus on solving specific tasks; orientation towards awareness; orientation towards an empirically based model of the psyche; transparency of the effects of psychotechnics; client-centricity. It is noted that these principles can be effectively applied to the development of psychological assistance programmes for children.
Practice and methods of developing a reading culture for modern university youth in China (on the Nanchang University example)
The problem of reading culture of modern university youth is investigated in two interconnected dimensions. On the one hand, it is interpreted as an obvious socio-cultural challenge of the era of information and communication revolution, actualising the practice of interaction of traditional and modern forms and methods of broadcasting information flows. On the other hand, this problem is illustrated by the history of the development of reading culture by students of Nanchang University which allows us to complete its socio-theoretical analysis with representative empirical studies using the practice of amazing reading culture by students of one of the famous universities of modern China. The habits, preferences, distribution of time and purposes of reading of university youth are described. It is shown that most students have a positive attitude towards reading, but there are such problems as lack of time for reading and lack of reading conditions. The practice of improving the reading culture of students at Nanchang University, including the definition of reading goals, stimulating interest in reading, using traditional culture to improve the level of text content, cultural development, teacher control method, etc. are analysed. The strategies for cultivating cultural confidence, international technologies and media resources, enriching educational resources and reading environment, stimulating internal motivation and individual support, using new ones to develop students’ reading culture are summarised.
Quality of education and professional competences of teachers: a sociological approach
The problems arising between the professional competencies of teachers and the quality of education are shown the solution to which can be found through the use of sociological research methods. The results of the study of teachers’ satisfaction with the quality of education and the effectiveness of advanced training courses, conducted by the author of this article, are analysed. The reasons for the impossibility of fully realising the educational needs of teachers in the process of educational activities are revealed, the low practical effectiveness of advanced training plans is noted. A contradiction is revealed between teachers’ awareness of the importance of advanced training and the practical application of the knowledge acquired in its course which arises due to the underdevelopment of professional competencies of teachers. A conclusion is made about the importance of using a sociological approach to studying the problems of the education system.
information and communication technologies
Human capital vs digital technologies: hidden confrontation and risks in modern society
It is shown that the growth of human capital in the conditions of digital transformation positively affects labour productivity, satisfaction of the population with work and life. The problem of growth of this capital is most relevant for groups of people involved in the labour market, but the process of human capital formation also affects the sphere of education, in particular, students. It is revealed that the development of human capital of students includes ensuring accessibility of higher education, formation of a high level of social competence and growth of the cultural level of young people, while the development of human capital of employees is carried out through the formation of socially significant value-motivational tools. Digital technologies alone do not contribute to these processes; on the contrary, unregulated digital transformation creates risks of a socio-humanitarian nature, leads to increased stressful life and mental illness. The need for a targeted impact on the spheres of education and labour for the growth of human capital was noted.
Issues of vaccination of migrant children in the Republic of Belarus (experience of sociological research)
The article presents the results of a sociological study of the attitude of migrant parents who arrived in the Republic of Belarus to the vaccination of children. It is indicated that the results of this study can be used to develop an effective information campaign to motivate migrant parents to vaccinate their children in the Republic of Belarus. The article analyses data on the commitment and motivation of migrant parents to vaccinate their children in the Republic of Belarus and notes their needs in this area. Recommendations are given for conducting an information campaign to form the commitment of migrant parents to vaccinate their children.
attitude towards vaccination of children
The phenomenon of intrinsic value of nature
A study of the intrinsic value of nature was conducted. The relationship between the types of value (extrinsic and intrinsic) and approaches to its understanding (subjective and objective) was established. For the first time, a holistic concept was developed which defined the essence and characteristics of the intrinsic value of nature, identified the criteria for its detection, and formulated the definition of the concept of «intrinsic value of nature». The theoretical and methodological foundations of the intrinsic value of nature for living beings, inanimate components and ecosystems are presented. The need to establish harmonious and respectful relationships between humans and their moral partner, the natural world, is ethically substantiated. Recommendations are given for the practical application of the results of this study.
Socio-philosophical understanding of the phenomenon of race: from notion to concept
The concept of «race» and the concept of race in a socio-philosophical context are considered. Various versions of the interpretation of the concept of «race» are accumulating. The phenomenon of race is systematically investigated, semantic boundaries in its interpretation are revealed, ideas about race as a concept are explicated, and a comparative analysis of the concepts of «race» and «ethnicity» is carried out. The author identifies the appearance of different versions of racial classification, their nature and future prospects, and draws a clear line between the concepts of «ethnicity» and «race». The article reveals the dichotomous nature of race as a concept which is due to the accumulation of its biological and social nature. The article attempts to explain the reason for the actualisation of the understanding of race as a social phenomenon which has influenced the formation and exacerbation of neo-racism in the modern world.