Abstract: The aim of the study is to uncover the conceptual foundations of Lambros Malafouris' Material Engagement Theory. In order to realise this aim, we have used comparative-historical and analytical-interpretative methods to explicate the genesis, basic assumptions and concepts of the theory. In particular, we have shown that the theory of mind development, involved in the material world, arises in the framework of Colin Renfrew's cognitive-processual archeology. Using evidence from material culture, its proponents attempt to answer the question of the emergence and development of human cognitive functions. To find an answer to the question, Malafouris uses the treatment of the mind as extended into the external world, applying the metaphor of creative dynamic co-evolution. Mind emerges and functions through an ongoing process of mutual enactment of embodied mind and material environment. To identify the specifics of this co-evolutionary treatment, we have explicated the key concepts of material engagement theory: metaplasticity, material agency and material-enactivating signification. They characterise the effects of the cognitive-material engagement process. The scientific significance lies in the fact that of the study contributes to understanding the heuristic potential of Material Engagement Theory, which is emerging within the research programme of embodied cognition.

Abstract: This article claims that the philosophy of symbolic forms of Ernst Cassirer is an indispensable philosophical-anthropological partner of rhetoric. The author assumes that the rhetoric’s acquisition of Cassirer’s theory of symbolic forms will bring rhetoric outside its dominant interpretation as a theory oriented towards language expression and allow it to fully comply with the broad understanding of rhetoric as a doctrine that explains the creation, establishment and transformation of social meaning. To clarify the extensive understanding of the rhetorical-philosophical-anthropological approach, the author structured their discourse partially on the criticism of recent attempt of Thomas A. Discenna (Discenna, Rhetorica 32/3, 2014) to include E. Cassirer to the rhetorical tradition in the course of analysis of Davos Debates of 1929 between E. Cassirer and M. Heidegger; and partially on explanation of the aspects of Cassirer’s thought that are considered as crucial for the development of rhetorical-philosophical anthropology of social meaning. The main conclusion lies in the thesis that the philosophy of symbolic forms of Cassirer creates the theoretical bases for the modern rhetorical philosophical anthropology as the teaching about the formation of social meaning.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the determination of novelty and heuristic potential of doxology as a Protagorean version of constructivist epistemology. Analyzing the problem of epistemological relativism on the context of antagonism between the supporters of epistemological realism and constructivism, the author outlines the problematic field, on the background of which the novelty and heuristic potential become evident. In the course of this research were used the method of interpretation and critical method of philosophy, supported by the principles of historicism, unambiguity, and systemic consideration. The novelty of doxology consists in the expanded interpretation of the structure of cognition, which central elements are the realistic rendering of a cognitive subject and the idea of functional circle of cognitive activity (logos) and its object (doxa). The heuristic potential of doxology consist in its contribution to solution of the problem of relativism: focusing on the methods and factors of producing by the subject of what is considered real, intersubjective in certain area or culture at the moment, doxology contributed to formulation of methodology for understanding the consistent and intersubjective character of the relativity of knowledge.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the determination of grounds of doxology of Mats Rosengren – Swedish philosophy, who tries to restore doxa in the theory of cognition, and considers the possibility of structuring the “Protagorean gnoseology”. Doxology is the version of naturalizes constructivist theory of cognition developing on the basis of rhetorical form of philosophical anthropology, which formulates the realistic version of the subject of cognitive activity. From the doxological perspective, cognition is the transformation by human collectives of the world and themselves; the prerequisite for such transformation is the mastery of objectified results of its prior activity. It is demonstrated that the expression of doxological position and doxological line of thought is the neo-sophistic interpretation of Protagoras’ thesis – “Man is the measure of all things”. According to this interpretation, man is the humanity, rather than an individual; the measure common to all people is logos that forms the nature of man and world as a whole. The scheme of the functional circle of logos and doxa underlies the doxological interpretation of cognitive activity. The conceptual prerequisites of Mats Rosengren’s doxological line of thought are reflected in the works of P. Bourdieu, L. Fleck, E. Cassirer and C. Castoriadis that demonstrate that in fact the ways of perception, thinking and action alongside the methods of production, objectification and mastery of the experience of human collectives can interdependently frame each other.

Abstract: The opponents of epistemological constructivism traditionally accuse it of relativism, the desire to serve society, rather than the objective reality. In response to such accusations, leaning on the principle of sociology of knowledge, the author explores the question of social legitimation of the position of epistemological realism. The article analyzes the content of the two competitive paideia projects – Isocrates and Plato, in the aspects of correlation between the key notions of the virtue, power and truth. As a result of the victory of Plato’s project were formed the dispositions of metaphysical realism. A conclusion is made that the strive for cognizing the objective truth is an intrinsic component of elitaristic ideology in Plato’s metaphysics. The ideology of elitarism was complementary to monarchical regimes; it ensured social legitimation of philosophy as intuition, called to nurture the mind and judge the truth. This research allows to better understand not only the contemporary discussions between the realists and constructivists, but also the sociocultural importance of metaphysical realism that for centuries became an example of the Western philosophy as such.

Abstract: The object of this work is the traditional image of the philosopher Socrates, created by Plato and Xenophon. The author changes the research context, proceeding from the idea that philosophy in the Ancient Greece during the time of Socrates have not yet separated from the religion. Special place within the Greek religion holds the mantic – the ritual art of interpreting symbols, sent by the supernatural forces. An expert in the field of mantic were called mantis or prophet; they featured the prophet abilities, inspired trance, magic skills, and non-literate character of teaching. Expanding the context alongside examining the image of Socrates in terms of the ideas and practices of the traditional Greek religion, allow interpreting the key aspects of the image of Socrates (daemon of Socrates, falling into trance, predicting the future, etc.) from a new angle. The research shows that the Socrates’ contemporaries could perceive him as a religious expert, inspired prophet, mantis, who understands and realizes a specific religious mission. Such interpretation of the image of Socrates contributes into the solution of the problem of Plato and have access to the platform of Plato’s knowledge, as well as allows expanding the grounds of Plato’s comparison of the philosopher and the Sophists.