University of Arts in Belgrade
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Ghosts, Rewilded: Environmental Reverberations in the Balkans
No full textOver the last decade, an unprecedented wave of environmental mobilizations has swept across the Balkans. The energy transition, depopulation, and popular environmentalism have entwined environment and reproduction which, in turn, has triggered a major historical reckoning. In this introduction to a thematic cluster, we explore environmental reverberations as ways in which ecological distribution conflicts not only antagonize different social groups but also resonate across space and time. First, we observe how anti-mining struggles thematize the affinities of postsocialist and postcolonial pathways, and the way histories of different regions have been compartmentalized. Second, we pay attention to trajectories of modernization in the region, arguing that a focus on soil and nonhumans can decenter ethnonational readings of regional violence. Third, we explore how environmental struggles resonate across different social milieus, while remaining rooted in enduring forces of social reproduction. Last, we explore how the energy transition becomes entwined with depopulation, revealing a cross-generational dissensus on the value of rural land. By paying attention to the material, protracted effects of power as it resonates through the landscape, historical memory, and worries over social reproduction, we suggest that the environmental humanities can offer new readings of classical regional tropes, including that of Balkanism
Global Networks of Solidarity in the Struggle Against Extractivism
No full textIn the introductory examination of a whole range of problems arising
from the analysis of global models of extractivism, with particular attention
to lithium mining, several key questions immediately present
themselves, which we will illuminate in this text. How do we methodologically approach the discourse of extractivism? Is it causally connected to and dependent on imperialism, (neo)colonialism, and global capitalism? Are the strategic and economic (not necessarily technological) approaches to exploiting and extracting
lithium specific to each major deposit across different geographical
latitudes and longitudes: in the Atacama salt desert in Chile, the Salinas
Grandes desert in Argentina, the Barroso “projects” in Portugal,
or Jadar in Serbia? Can we learn something from all the cases of local
communities’ and activists’ struggles against the environmental injustice
inflicted upon populations and the land, the living and non-living
world? And finally, is there potential for global networking, solidarity,
and the formation of common fronts against the ecological catastrophes
that these projects inevitably produce or would produce in the future if not prevented
Who is the Subject? What is Subjectivity?
No full textThis article challenges the notion of subjectivity as a timeless, universal
category by tracing the complex and radically changing meanings of „subject”
and „subjectivity” throughout the history of philosophy. It argues that the modern
concept emerged from a crucial medieval synthesis, reconciling Aristotle’s passive
hypokeimenon (a substratum that „receives something”) with Augustine’s model
of the soul’s immediate self-presence. Contrary to the Heideggerian narrative that
locates the origin of modern subjectivity in Descartes, this analysis identifi es Kant’s
transcendental turn as the pivotal moment, defi ning subjectivity as the active yet
empty structure of experience rather than a substance. The article further demonstrates
how this modern, active subject has been persistently challenged by a counter-
tradition—the „humiliated cogito” or „anti-cogito”—that emphasizes the passivity,
impersonality, and constituted nature of thought, from Lichtenberg and Nietzsche to
structuralism and psychoanalysis. Finally, it examines the parallel critique within the
Anglo-American analytic tradition, which initially rejected subjectivity as a source
of error but later engaged with it through the problem of consciousness. The article
concludes that Thomas Metzinger’s recent claim—that pure consciousness may not be
a subjective phenomenon—is not entirely a novel discovery but the latest iteration of
this ancient debate, favoring the original, passive meaning. The history of subjectivity
is thus presented as an unresolved tension between the subject as an active foundation
and as a passive product
At (en)large : capturing the voice of citizens through citizens’ assemblies on the EU level
No full textThis policy brief discusses citizens’ assemblies (CA) as a way of deepening and improving public engagement in political decision-making at the EU level. While commending the EU for using citizens’ assemblies in an unparalleled way during the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), it demonstrates that the first CAs held on the EU level after CoFoE indicate that the EU institutions are still keen to keep strong control over the process and results of citizens’ assemblies. The brief argues the EU needs time to develop more confidence and a better understanding of the potential of CAs to further democratise EU institutions and their decision-making process. Albeit they are no panacea for all the intricated problems of contemporary polity, CAs qualify among the best candidates to help increase the trust in and legitimacy of strategic decisions on the EU level. This policy brief recommends having CAs on EU enlargement with citizens from both current member states and candidate countries. Enlargement is a great candidate for citizens’ assemblies due to its rich deliberative potential, derived from conflicting understandings and arguments of whether, how and when should the EU accept new members. Having citizens’ assemblies on enlargement would be an exemplary showcase of the EU’s commitment to inclusive, participatory, and deliberative democracy, and a strong statement of EU institutions’ willingness to fully consider the opinion of their constituencies
An In-Depth Review of ChatGPT’s Pros and Cons for Learning and Teaching in Education
No full textAs technology progresses, there has been an increasing interest in using Chatbot GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) in education. Chatbot GPT, or ChatGPT, gained one million users within the first week of launching in November 2022 and had amassed over 100 million active users by February 2023. This type of artificial intelligence uses natural language processing to convert it into a user. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis and review of 34 articles published on ChatGPT and its potential impact on education by utilizing the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. This review analyzed various studies and articles to examine the strengths and limitations of GPT language models in education from 2018 to the present. The advantages of ChatGPT include its capacity to provide personalized and adaptive learning, instant feedback, and improved accessibility. However, there are potential drawbacks, such as the lack of emotional intelligence, the risk of overreliance on technology, and privacy concerns. This review suggests that ChatGPT has significant promise for education yet reinforces the necessity for further research and careful consideration of possible risks and limitations. Specifically, it pointed out potential invisible manipulations by instructing ChatGPT to answer educationrelated topics. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of ChatGPT for the future of education and emphasizing the need for further research in this field
Nova klima za ljudsku prirodu? Proučavanje društvene teorije kroz postprirodu, antropocen i posthumanizam
No full textBy examining debates on the Anthropocene era ignited by new materialist and posthumanist scholarship, this paper aims to discern how these perspectives can reframe the human-nature nexus. It also considers how various “developmentalist” approaches might assume the role traditionally held by the concept of human nature. The first section highlights concerns raised by posthumanist and neomaterialist scholars about the marginalized status of “nature”, life, and biology within dominant constructivist viewpoints. A central argument posits that notions like “denaturalization” and biopolitics amplify societal dominance over nature, pushing social theory towards an anthropocentric and potentially biologically indeterminate stance. Contrasting this, the second section delves into modern interpretations of the planet in social theory, inspired by the emergence of the Anthropocene. This lens reveals a dynamic, co-constitutive relationship, tilting less towards the unilateral commands of “nature” and more towards understanding the evolution of human life and societal structures within Earth’s expansive temporal and spatial realms. The third section further unpacks these developmental ideas by juxtaposing the theories of Bruno Latour and Tim Ingold. The paper contends that both approaches endeavor to illuminate the complex processes underpinning the evolution of life forms, underscoring the significance of culture. In conclusion, the intricate postnatural landscape of the Anthropocene necessitates a more integrated human-nature relationship. This calls for not only discarding dehumanizing facets of human nature, but also fostering a renewed sensibility – a deeper form of humanizing that acknowledges and celebrates our shared existence with other species and entities.Proučavajući rasprave o antropocenskoj eri pokrenute od strane novih materijalističkih i posthumanističkih pristupa, ovaj rad nastoji da prepozna kako ove perspektive mogu preoblikovati vezu između čoveka i prirode. Takođe, u radu se razmatra kako različiti „razvojni“ pristupi mogu preuzeti ulogu koju je tradicionalno imao pojam ljudske prirode. Prvi deo ističe
probleme koje posthumanistički i neomaterijalistički uočavaju povodom marginalizovanog
statusa „prirode“, života i biologije unutar dominantnih konstruktivističkih gledišta. Centralni dominaciju nad prirodom, gurajući socijalnu teoriju prema antropocentričnom i potencijalno
biološki neodređenom stavu. Nasuprot tome, drugi deo se bavi modernim tumačenjima planete u socijalnoj teoriji, inspirisanim pojavom antropocena. Kroz ovu perspektivu otkriva se
dinamična, ko-konstitutivna veza, koja manje naginje jednostranom diktatu „prirode“ a više
ka razumevanju evolucije ljudskog života i društvenih struktura unutar prostranih vremenskih i prostornih domena Zemlje. Treći deo dalje razrađuje ove razvojne ideje upoređujući
teorije Bruna Latura i Tima Ingolda. Rad tvrdi da oba pristupa teže osvetljavanju složenih
procesa koji stoje u osnovi evolucije životnih oblika, naglašavajući značaj kulture. Zaključno,
složeni postprirodni pejzaž antropocena zahteva integrisaniji odnos čoveka i prirode. To zahteva ne samo odbacivanje dehumanizirajućih aspekata ljudske prirode, već i podsticanje
obnovljenog senzibiliteta – dublje forme humanizacije koja priznaje i slavi naše zajedničko
postojanje s drugim vrstama i entitetim
AI alignment: Assessing the global impact of recommender systems
No full textThe recent growing concerns surrounding the pervasive adoption of generative AI can be traced back to the long-standing influence of AI algorithms that have predominantly served as content curators on large online platforms. These algorithms are used by online services and platforms to decide what content to show and in what order, and they can have a negative impact, including the spread of misinformation, social polarization, and echo chambers around important topics. Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee turned whistleblower, has drawn significant public attention to this issue by revealing the company's alleged knowledge about the negative impacts of their own algorithms. Additionally, a recent initiative to ban TikTok as a threat to US national security indicates the influence of recommender systems. The objective of this study is threefold. The first goal is to provide an exhaustive evaluation of the profound worldwide influence exerted by algorithm-based recommendations. The second goal is to determine the degree of priority accorded by the scientific community to pivotal subjects in recommender systems discussions, such as misinformation, polarization, addiction, emotional contagion, privacy, and bias. Finally, the third goal is to assess whether the level of scientific research and discourse is commensurate with the significant impact these recommendation systems have globally. The research concludes the impact of recommender systems on society has been largely neglected by the scientific community, despite the fact that more than half of the world's population interacts with them on a daily basis. This becomes especially apparent when considering that algorithms exert influence not just on major societal issues but on every aspect of a user's online experience. The potential consequences for humanity are discussed, such as addiction to technology, weakening relations between humans, and the homogenizing effects on human minds. One possible direction to address the challenges posed by these algorithms is the application of algorithmic regulation to promote content diversity and facilitate democratic engagement, such as the tripartite solution which is elaborated upon in the conclusion. Therefore, future research should not only be centered around further evaluating influence of this technology, but also the analysis of how such systems can be regulated. A broader conversation among all stakeholders should be evoked on these potential approaches, aiming to align AI with societal values and enhance human well-being
Rethinking Love as Union: “As if our boundaries were melting...”
No full textThis article reconsiders one of the most important theories of romantic love in contemporary philosophy, the theory of love as union. Drawing on observations from transpersonal research, the article raises
the question whether it is not worthwhile to accept, at least partially, a strong sense of union in the context of
love. Thus the article takes a position that is not taken by anyone in contemporary philosophy. In this context,
the article also briefly analyses one of the most important variants of love as union, a union with God. At the
end, the suggestion is made that it makes more sense to talk about connections rather than relations in the
case of fulfilled love
