NEW PERSPECTIVES OF GEORGIAN PHILOSOPHY IN THE LIGHT OF INTERCULTURAL THOUGHT

European Scientific Journal December 2013 /SPECIAL/ edition vol.2 ISSN: 1857 - 7881 (Print) e NEW PERSPECTIVES OF GEORGIAN PHILOSOPHY IN THE LIGHT OF INTERCULTURAL THOUGHT Lali Zakaradze 0 Full 0 0 Grigol Robakidze University , Georgia The present article analyses new perspectives of rethinking the traditional models of philosophy in the process of knowledge transformation. Problems of intercultural philosophy, its methodology and topicality in the context of modern global thought are also discussed. Special attention is given to the recent concept of intercultural philosophy (crossroad) that was developed in his latest work by T. Iremadze. This concept connects systemic and historical aspects of philosophy to each other in a new way and formulates the topos of mutual understanding of different thinking traditions. The importance of the idea of Caucasian Philosophy is stressed that can offer new perspectives for further research and turn the Georgian-Armenian philosophical relations into a special subject of interest. Interculturalism/intercultural philosophy; philosophising at the crossroads; Caucasian philosophy; cultural dialogue; topological research - Introduction: The epoch of global changes and the necessity to respond to the challenges posed by this epoch requires from us rethinking the content of the humanities. The maintenance of the existing knowledge, its dissemination, transformation and application becomes essential. In the transformation process of the humanities, the essence and the purpose of philosophy also transform. Rethinking of the traditional models of philosophy enables to set new perspectives and methodologies. Rethinking of philosophy, first and foremost, means a new definition of history of philosophy.308 Moreover, in this context it becomes necessary to adapt the present potential of philosophical thought to the modern cosmopolitan thinking, to take into account different thinking traditions, thereby balancing Eastern and Western cultures and traditions. The analysis of different thinking traditions and peculiarities of the transformation of philosophical thought is an intercultural process. In his research on Georgian and intercultural philosophical perspectives, Udo Reinhold Jeck states that namely such researches have great perspectives309. In this context it becomes necessary to evaluate the entire historical heritage of Western philosophy anew and define its role in a new way. Thus, apart from theoretical-visionary function of philosophy, its social-practical function becomes more and more important it should facilitate formation of mental unity as well as establishment of optimal communication between people. Today, in the post-classical period, it is also of paramount importance that philosophy should again stand in guard of free thinking inasmuch as it outlines contours of human liberty and reveals its real nature, sets and analyzes the values on which legal state, civil society, personal and cultural orientations should be based. Contemplations on Intercultural Philosophy: Transformation of philosophy or a philosophical style aims at approximating philosophical theory with practice. Together with its own tradition, Western philosophy should intensively study philosophical traditions that differ from its own one. It is intercultural philosophy that offers this opportunity. Recent researches deal with intercultural philosophy as an alternative to globalization310. It is a project aiming at changing/altering the paradigm of philosophy. It can be achieved through disintegration of mono-cultural structures created by traditional philosophy. Intercultural philosophy is based on the type of thinking that transcends its own cultural boundaries. Not only does it acknowledge different forms of thinking but strives to solidarity as well. For intercultural philosophy, different traditions of thinking are separate worlds existing in their own terms. Consequently, it understands that it is only through these universums that the approximation of philosophy to universal can be reached. On the whole, intercultural philosophy strives to turn into a philosophy that can be practiced by cultural collaboration311. Today, the idea of universal as a practice of solidarity between the cultures is forgotten. Intercultural philosophy reflects and re-thinks philosophical knowledge not only on the theoretical level but on the level of certain historical reconstructions as well. Thus, at the crossroads, the reconstructed knowledge and more stable philosophical models and monocultural conceptual systems are discussed side by side. Intercultural philosophy requires criticism of its own philosophy as well as of the tradition from which it took its origins. In this context the own tradition can become a certain bridge and linking ring for intercommunication. And here the construction of other knowledge becomes topical as well as the respect towards other, the analysis of those reflections and mutual influences that are revealed between textual groups of different cultures and origins312. Intercultural philosophy is significant in many aspects, but it is especially topical in research projects referring the problems, methodologies and fields important in the context of modern global thinking. Intercultural philosophy influences and gives feedback on the process of acquiring education and knowledge, thus broadening scope of vision. Consequently, many essential issues of philosophy, history of philosophy, comparative philosophy and political globalism can be innovatively assessed and grasped. New Concepts of Georgian Philosophy: Interculturalism and interdisciplinarity are recognized as one of the important and successful methodologies for the study of philosophical problems. Methodological contemplations in this direction are extremely significant and reveal new unique perspectives for the integration of the Georgian philosophy into the worldwide philosophy. In this context the work by Professor Tengiz Iremadze Philosophy at the Crossroads of Epochs and Cultures. Intercultural and Interdisciplinary Research313 is of paramount importance. The book deals with the old and new concepts of philosophy from intercultural and interdisciplinary perspectives. The study is interesting in many ways: 1) it aims to transgress narrow-national boundaries of philosophy, criticize Eurocentrism and show the necessity of universal thought in the age of global thinking; 2) the author highlights a new concept of intercultural philosophy Crossroad- that connects systemic and historical aspects of philosophy to each other in a new way; 3) the monograph introduces for the first time the idea of Caucasian Philosophy that can offer new perspectives for further research and turn the Georgian-Armenian philosophical relations into a special subject of interest. Reflections on main aspects in Iremadzes work enable interpretation of Georgian philosophy from a completely different (...truncated)