Term creation. Reflections on the book “Projective Dictionary of the Humanities” by M. N. Epstein
Abstract
The article deals with the book “Projective Dictionary of the Humanities” written by the well-known philosopher and culturologist M. N. Epstein, who has been working for more than thirty years to develop the terminology of the language of science and philosophy. It is shown that despite the dictionary being claimed to appeal to the future, it is based on those principles which were elaborated by the science and philosophy of New Times, such as mechanistic interpretation of nature, the possibility of its “correction” and constructing, the existential understanding of man as a project. It is noted that the “Projective Dictionary” makes it possible to actualize the mythological concept of language (creative language), reproduces that social model, which is based on the optimistic and progressionistic view on history. The articles of the “Projective Dictionary” which explain the “Sofia terms” are analyzed more closely. The origins of the proposed terms are discussed, their different meanings are mentioned. In particular, the term “ethnosophy” is examined in the context of actual Russian philosophy and ideology. It is concluded that the “Projective Dictionary” by M. N. Epstein is of great importance as it stimulates independent creative thinking, helps to overcome philosophical stereotypes, such as identifying philosophy with the history of philosophy.
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