Mythology, Philosophy, and Social Sciences
Mythology
Cosmogonic Myths
Myths are stories of imaginary events, often featuring supernatural beings or extraordinary figures like gods, demigods, heroes, and monsters. Cosmogonic myths explain the creation of the world, often originating from a primordial ocean. Sometimes, a race of giants, like the Titans, plays a pivotal role as the first inhabitants of Earth.
Theogonic Myths
These myths tell the origin of the gods. For example, Athena emerges fully armed from the head of Zeus.
Etiological Myths
Etiological
Read MoreThe Evolution of Worldviews: From Ancient Greece to Modern Cosmology
1. Worldviews and the Origin of the Universe
Worldviews address fundamental questions about the origin of the universe and natural phenomena. They offer coherent and systematic ways of seeing and understanding the world.
1.1. Defining a Worldview
A worldview is any interpretation of reality that provides a coherent and systematic framework for understanding the world.
1.2. Scientific Worldviews
Max Weber’s concept of the “disenchanted world” reflects how modern science has shifted humanity’s vision of
Democracy: Origins, Structure, and Models
The Democratic State of Law
This refers to the rule of law, from a legal standpoint. The state, in which the exercise of power by political entities occurs, is governed in all its manifestations by legal rules. These rules respond to certain values that ensure the rights and freedoms of citizens against the state itself. We must make two clarifications regarding the concept of the Rule of Law:
I– The concept of the rule of law is more comprehensive than the Constitutional State. In reality, it does
Read MoreEvolution of Social Policies and Education: From Charity to State Intervention
1. From Charity to Uncontrolled Social Policy (16th Century)
1.1. Social Policies
In Medieval society, charity prevailed over justice. Personal ethics, religious values, and eternal salvation fueled individual charity, the most common form of assistance to the poor, integrated into the community. From the sixteenth century onwards, economic and social transformations reshaped the traditional religious conception of poverty.
The continuous economic expansion, the development of European commercial capitalism,
Read MoreFree Institution of Education: Shaping Modern Spanish Education
This historical text, penned during the Restoration by historian Giner de los Ríos and featured in his “Essays” as well as F. Díaz-Flat’s “History of Spain in their documents,” examines the Free Institution of Education (Institución Libre de Enseñanza, or ILE).
The document showcases the ILE as a nature exhibition and an educational and social endeavor. It was a public institution dedicated to demonstrating its operational principles.
The ILE emerged during the Restoration, a period when numerous
Society and State: Theories, Culture, and Legitimacy
Organic Theory
A society is a group of individuals who share a common culture. Historically, the first theories to emerge were organismic. According to societal organicism, society is an organism that transcends individuals. The whole (society) is different from the sum of its parts (individuals). Organismically, society precedes the subject. Partnership is essential to being human; those isolated from it cannot be considered human. Aristotle said that one who lives outside the polis is either a
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