The Director of the H.S. Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the NAS of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine Anatoliy Yermolenko, gave an interview for the project "Ukrainian Philosophical Community in Personalities" (aimed at presenting the Ukrainian philosophical community through the prism of the activities of individual specialists) of the historical-philosophical journal “Sententiae.” The scholar analyzed key aspects of the development of the Ukrainian philosophical tradition, its transformations in various historical contexts, and contemporary challenges.
One of the central topics of discussion was the evolution of philosophical thought in Ukraine during the period of the USSR, when the dominant discourse remained dogmatic Marxist-Leninist philosophy. At the same time, some philosophers found ways to overcome ideological constraints, which contributed to the preservation and development of independent philosophical traditions.
Practical communicative philosophy, which occupies a prominent place in Anatoliy Yermolenko’s research, is considered in the context of its historical formation and contemporary significance. Special attention was given to the "practical turn" in philosophy as a pragmatic renewal that emphasizes the importance of philosophical analysis of social dynamics, ethical challenges, and political transformations.
The question of the philosophical community’s response to global crises remains relevant, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Anatoliy Yermolenko explores how representatives of practical philosophy adapted their concepts to these events and to what extent philosophy is capable of comprehending current crisis situations. The interview also separately addressed Anatoliy Yermolenko’s polemic with contemporary German philosopher Jürgen Habermas, as well as the alternative position of Vittorio Hösle, demonstrating the range of contemporary philosophical discussions on the philosophy of dialogue, communicative ethics, and social responsibility.
Another key aspect of the interview is the significance of the Ukrainian translation tradition for the formation of the national philosophical discourse. The translation of philosophical texts is viewed not only as a means of adapting knowledge but also as a tool for the conceptual development of language, which facilitates the integration of the Ukrainian philosophical tradition into the global context. Anatoliy Yermolenko also emphasized the necessity of retranslation as a mechanism for correcting previous errors and improving terminology.
Thus, the interview covered a wide range of issues related to the methodological challenges of contemporary philosophy, its significance for Ukrainian society, and prospects for further development in the Ukrainian and international intellectual space.
According to information from the H.S. Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the NAS of Ukraine