Introduction

The problem of biospherical compatibility of cities is being studied in Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Science during the last decade. This problem is discussed in the paper from both civilizational and philosophical points of view.

Method of comparing the duration of survival of civilization , with its attitude towards the natural environment.

According to the investigations of Kuzik and Yakovetz [1] about 25 civilizations existed during the last 5 thousand years, for example Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Roma and many others. But only two of them are vivid up today at the same place with the same ethnos- they are India and China which are the symbols of Eastern civilizations.

These great countries consider Nature as the God, of course in different manners. The very powerful imperator in China was only the Son of Heaven. Gods in India represented some visible part of surrounding space from local territory up to cosmos. By the way, Indian Sanskrit is very close to Russian language, and some Sanskrit’s Gods have practically the same names as ancient Slavic Gods before the Christian age.

So, people and authority of China and India consider priority of Nature before humankind, hence people should serve Nature.

People in the West believe that they can use and reorganize Nature, because Nature is created for mankind’s needs. People in the West are extraverted, they try first to understand the World and then, they try to comprehend themselves. People in the East are introverted and they try first to grasp themselves and then, they try to understand the world.

Both civilizations know all about the World and Humankind but their knowledge are quite different and theirs ways of learning are just opposite.

Last half of the century western scientists [2] spoke more and more about ecological problems, sustainable development and so on.

We also started our investigation with the fact that the Nature created a human being, hence people are the element of Nature and they have to serve their Mother. Following to I. A. Malmigin we made the next step, we supposed that the Biosphere is a vivid creature, which mankind may have conversations with. This assumptions has no practical influence at the moment, but nevertheless it is very important for future.

Results and Discussion

Combining modern knowledge and some ideas of both civilizations we worked out the paradigm of biospherical compatibility of cities which would develop people. The result is a matrix with 3x3 elements presented in [3].

1. Symbiosis of cities and the Nature, According of Consciousness;
2. Comparison of external (exploitation of resources, waste disposal) and internal (human potential) aspects of city life;
3. Humanitarian Balance of Biosphere, i.e. threefold balances of population, places for satisfying the needs of the population, Life Potential of Biosphere;
4. Legislature fixation of Humanitarian Balance of Biotechnosphere or a phased transition towards this balance: earth, water, air, energy and social criteria;
5. Knowledge as a basis for city management: professionalism, intelligence, information, suggestions on development, elimination of factors, hindering development. Result: Program of transformation of pathology into resource of development;
6. Comparison of planned environmental factors and level of human development with the reality;
7. Functions of a city which satisfy human needs: livelihood, entertainment, authorities, charity, education, creation, connection with the Nature;
8. Reliability “Constitution” of the city and other laws, traditions of an ethnic groups, councils of elders, Social union, etc. Result, control, balance, efficiency;
9. Cognition as a basis for policy, power structures, interactions of all with all, the holidays, style of the city.

All elements are known, but here is the system, hierarchy of subjects and each element may be calculated in one or another way. So, life of city may be presented numerically. According to the author’s opinion the main result of such approach will be possibility to predict in volume what happened if one or other ruling decision to realize, reaching the global aim- biospherically compatible city, developing people. Compatible means preventing ecological disasters for centuries. Summarized results of calculations on several cities in Russia presented in the book [4].

Conclusions

This approach may lead to many unusual consequences and for example there is pair of them.

People can’t produce water, sand, air, oil, etc. All these resources are produced by Earth, and Earth is owner of then. People should buy these raw materials from the producer and owner. What is the price? According to the theory of Adam Smith the price should be sufficient for the reproduction of this materials.

To whom to pay? If we involve natural materials into economy of humanity as resources then it is necessary to recognize the Earth as a legal entity. The representative of it would be the Government of the country and Government will spend money for treatment of Nature.

Acknowledgments

The author is grateful Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Science for the statement of the theme and the opportunity to conduct research.

References and Notes

1. Kuzik B.N., Yakovetz Yu.V. Civilizations: theory, history, dialog, future. Moscow. Institute of economic strategy, 2006
2. D.H. Meadows, J. Randers, D.L. Meadows. Limits to Growth. The 30-years Update. Chealsea Green Publishing Company. White River Junction. Vermont, 2004.
3. V.A. Ilychev, The guidelines for creating a new city structure which would be compatible with the Biosphere and make for the development of man. Ӧsterreichishe Ingenieur- und Architekten-Zeitschrift, 157. Jahrgang Heft 1-6/2012.
4. Principles of transforming of cities into biospherical compatible and developing man. V.A. Ilyichev, S.G. Emelyanov, V.I. Kolchunov, V.A. Gordon, N.V. Bakaeva. Scientific issuu, - Moscow, Publishing House ASV, 2015-184 p.

Introduction

The topic of this paper is comparative analysis of mathematical education in compulsory educational systems of Serbia, Croatia and Finland. Educational systems of Serbia and Croatia are very similar, due to the fact that these two countries were part of the same country. After disintegration of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Croatia have commenced their transition processes and comprehensive reforms. They also have commenced reforms of their educational systems. This paper analyses how far are these countries reached in the reform of the selected segment of compulsory education, did some differences created between the observed countries and gives description and explication of these differences. In addition to support, comparison also covers the situation in Finnish education system, which is taken as an example of a successful system. Finnish education system is, according to numerous studies, one of the best in Europe and also, according to PISA tests results, performance from the Finnish students were always among the best.

A detailed analysis was conducted on the example of mathematics, given the importance of this science in modern society. With the development of science and technology and comprehensive advancement of civilization, the need to apply mathematical knowledge in everyday life also increases. Therefore, an applied mathematics is being more studied and many people and due to the lack of mathematical knowledge, or incapacity for its application, many problems are being created.

Further analysis showed that the applied comparative perspective provides to identify similarities and differences in the legal regulations, duration of compulsory education, assessment systems, representation and status of the subjects. In the first part of presentation are analyzed the regulations governing compulsory education in the observed countries. It is made a comparison of duration of compulsory education and duration of individual cycles of compulsory education. Special attention is given to comparing the assessment systems of Serbia, Croatia and Finland. Particularly interesting are the differences in the representation of descriptive grades and the importance given to the descriptive grading in these three countries. It’s analyzed the presence of self–assessment in Finnish educational system and the differences between the observed countries in terms of the progress in studies from grade to grade. The subject of comparison is also the representation and status of individual subjects in the education systems of Serbia, Croatia and Finland with a special emphasis on the differences in terms of the importance given to some subjects. Using of the modern technology is in the observed education systems is also considered. By comparing the presence of the modern technologies, many differences between Serbia and Croatia on one side, and Finland on another, are noticed. In the second part of presentation are analyzed the educational objectives, contents, educational standards and requirements in terms of knowledge and skills of students for the subject of mathematics.

Methods

This review paper represents a comparative analysis, which is conducted by analyzing laws and other legal acts and another documents with regard to education in the observed countries. The emphasis was on the analysis and comparison of curricula and studying papers and books from this field, especially those related to mathematics and the use of technology in teaching. There are also studied and compared the textbooks and teaching materials for mathematics.

Results and Discussion

A comparative analysis showed some differences and similarities between the observed countries. The most prominent are differences between Serbia and Croatia on one side and Finland on another. In terms of regulations, it is noticed that Finnish education system is much more decentralized than Serbian or Croatian. It is also noticed the absence of national curriculum, the document by which are provided guidelines for organizing the teaching process. When it comes to student assessment, it is noticed greater representation of descriptive assessment and self – assessment in Finnish education system, than in Serbian and Croatian. The differences in terms of representation and status of individual subjects are not particularly noticeable.

It is found that Finnish elementary schools successfully apply modern technologies in teaching process, while in other two countries still exist problems in this field, primarily due to the lack of adequate equipment in many schools.

A comparison of mathematical education in compulsory education systems of the observed countries didn’t show essential differences in terms of teaching contents. On the other side, stand out the differences in terms of educational objectives and, especially, educational standards and requirements in terms of knowledge and skills. Among Finnish educational objectives, as opposed to Serbian and Croatian, it is emphasized development of mathematical thinking, while acquisition and application of knowledge are in the second place. In accordance with these objectives, Finnish description of good performance contain the entire group of requirements in terms of the development of thinking and working abilities. In this description it is also more insisted on application of acquired knowledge than it is case in Serbia and Croatia.

Conclusions

It is indisputable that mathematical skills and competences of Serbian, Croatian and Finnish pupils are not the same. One of the indicators is certainly result of PISA test. Regarding the mathematics PISA tests, performances from the Finnish pupils were always among the best, and performances from the Serbian and Croatian pupils were considerably lower. Described differences certainly had, to some extent, an impact to final pupils’ competences. It is expected that more intensive use of the modern technologies to support teaching and intensification requirements in terms of knowledge application could improve teaching process and final pupils’ competences in Serbia and Croatia.

References and Notes

1. Apple, M. W. Do the Standards Go Far Enough? Power, Policy and Practice in Mathematics Education, Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 1992, Vol. 23, No. 5, 412-431.
2. Brown, P.et al. Education: Culture, Economy, and Society, Oxford University Press 1997.
3. Llewellyn, A.& Mendick, H. (2011). Does every child count? Quality, equity and mathematics with/in neoliberalism. In Mapping equity and quality in mathematics education, Springer 2011, New York. 49-62.
4. Kivi, R. (2000), “New Technology and Education in Finland”, PEB Exchange, Programme on Educational Building, 2000/12, OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/830666883232
5. Muusa Korhonen (2006). The New Federalist, Foreign Languages in Finland’s Educational System. Retrieved November 11, 2014 from the World Wide Web, http://www.thenewfederalist.eu/Foreign-Languages-in-Finland-s-Educational-System.
6. National Core Curriculum for Basic Education (2004). Finish National Board of Education, Helsinki
7. Niemi, H.; Multisilta, J.; Lipponen, L.; Vivitsou, M.. Finnish Inovations and Technologies in Schools – A Guide towards New Ecosystems of Learning, Sense Publishers: Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2014

Is needless to insist on the significant increase of the complexity we are living in. Whereas the social order arisen with modernity encompassed –at the level of the nation-states– a reduction of social complexity through cultural normalization, the new social and political order is nowadays to be intercultural, multilingual and even multi-national. National life is more and more entangled with international relations, and cannot be conceived anymore with our backs turned to nature. All this makes that the traditional context of posing ethical questions is rather different. The universality paradigm that pervaded many classical approaches in ethics is not so convincing anymore. Anthropology, ethnography, intercultural ethics has shown the fragility of such pretentious positions.

As in any other cultural change, it is quite clear that at the age of information we need a new way of addressing the issues of the proper behavior, the deep question of the good live in the complexity that is proper to our society. We may encounter a way of diminishing the complexity at the level of the human agency, as it was the case of cultural normalization in modernity, but we have to do it in another way. The subsidiarity principle represents a way to decrease complexity at the level of the agents while preserving the complexity at the global level. Something that is equally performed in the living organism or in the organization of decentralized political systems [1-2]. E-subsidiarity was essayed in Allende’s Chile and thereafter in the organization of multinational corporations and successful cooperative organizations, e.g. in the Basque country [3-6]. Could it become a new ethical paradigm at the information age?

The argumentation follows the problems and approach argued in [1]-[3] and [6]. The e-Subsidiarity model is based on the Stafford Beer’s Viable System Model, depicted in figure 1 and briefly discussed in [4]. The context of Basque cooperatives is summarily described and analysed in [5]. These works provide further sources to dig deeper in the subject.

Figure 1. Viable System Model (Source: Nick Green at the English language Wikipedia).

(see PDF version for the Figure).

Acknowledgments

This work has been partially done under support of Senescyt’s Postdoc programme Prometeo, linked to a research appointment in Santa Elena University (UPSE), Ecuador. University of León, Spain, has also supported the work.

References and Notes

1. Díaz Nafría, J.M.; Alfonso, J; Panizo, L. Building up eParticipatory decision-making from the local to the global scale. Study case at the European Higher Education Area. Computers in Human Behavior 2015, 47, 26-41.
2. Díaz Nafría, J.M. Ethics at the age of information. Systema 2015, (accepted, in press)
3. Díaz Nafría, J.M. The Need for an Informational Systems Approach to Security. TripleC 2011, 9(1), 93-122
4. Flood, R. L.; Carson, E. R. Dealing with Complexity. NY, USA: Plenum Press, 1993; pp. 77-96.
5. Narvarte Arregui, P.A. The Cooperative Experience of Mondragon: a Study of the Organisational Viability in the Context of the Basque Country. CIRIEC-España, Revista de Economía Pública, Social y Cooperativa 2006, 54, 231-255.
6. Ortiz Osorio, H.M.; Díaz Nafría, J.M. Cybersyn project as a paradigm for managing and learning in complexity. Systema 2015, (accepted, in press)

Introduction

This proposal is submitted in keeping with the key questions of the IS4IS DTMD workshop in Vienna June 3-7 2015. More specifically it is intended as argumentation aid and one (of necessarily several) contributions to a more comprehensive description of transverbality.

Methods

development of descriptive argument
reflective and abductive use of metaphor
thought experiment and/or physical demonstration

The definition of transverbality used here was introduced by M. Varga v. Kibed and means going beyond the verbal and nonverbal in a way that encompasses both and extends them by irreducible aspects of groups of persons [...]. This extension is connected with possibilities for forming models of systems behaviour by groups of persons. Scenic methods are primary fields of application for the concept of transverbality. […] making use of certain perceptional abilities specific to human groups as model systems (cf representative perception […]). (Varga 2006)

This general concept of transverbality leads to an understanding of transverbal language with [...] groups of persons – not the single person – as primary speaker and […] founded on representative perception. (ib.)

[R]epresentative perception [...] in the SySt approach is defined as the spontaneous appearance of differences in proprioception and perception in members of a group forming a model system […]. (ib.)

Mentioned concepts arose from a “tractarian” recognition of the linguistic nature of specific scenic (modeling) methods (constellations), which Varga v. Kibed & Sparrer developed into systemic-structural constellations (SySt).

In reminiscence of Wittgenstein's impetus for the Tractatus as a logical-aesthetical-ethical opus, the author proposes a navigational addition to the tractarian requisites of sagen [saying] and zeigen [showing] called sich zeigen lassen [letting show].

Operationally letting show could be defined as the somatically emerging bridge of a given bottom-up-top-down oscillation.

This bridging occurs through / can be demonstrated by differentiation processes appearing as representative perceptions in person groups forming model systems, as syntactically facilitated in the systemic-structural constellations (SySt) method.

The idea of letting show is derived from empirical knowledge that with (the syntactic approach of) the SySt methodology (and its attention to somatic differentiations in the modeling process) anything – physical, abstract or even vague (a hunch, a notion) - can be modeled by person representatives, (not only [other] person systems).

As argumentation aid letting show could be used to look at the concept of embodiment (G. Lakoff & M. Johnson) as well as tacit knowledge (M. Polanyi) in a different light.

In terms of the former representative perceptions could be seen as exbodiments (of the model forming person group).

In terms of the latter the model forming person group is set in motion – so to speak - “to let 'tacit knowledge' emerge”.

In Wunsch und Wille in der Handlung bei Wittgenstein Andrej Ule (1994) explores Wittgenstein's differentiation between wish and will as intentional requisites in a never fully formulated theory of action: wish is seen as preceding action, will is seen as internal aspect of action, as it shows through action. In terms of the SySt method Varga illustrates the gap between wish and will with the bridge of the As if.

The way letting show is tried here, it could be seen as non-intentional dimension “folded into” the contingencies of action, yet syntactically “accessible” (even discreetly “operable”) by as if maneuvering.

It shall be explicated how (in the modeling method) and why (in regard to least intrusive or even non-violent communication [comp. M. Rosenberg]) to syntactically approach and navigate issues of values and beliefs within a given problem setting.

Two modeling formats, which lend themselves to questions of values and beliefs, shall be described more closely:

1. Varga/Sparrer's constellation of belief polarities adapts F. Schuon's description of the Jnana-, Bhakti- and Karma-Yogas - as categorizing aspects of any sustainable religious form – into a stabilizing paradigm, often used as meta-SySt-format.
2. The other is the so-called core transformation constellation, which deals with defocused topics and the good intention (behind the good intention [behind the good intention {behind the good intention ….} …. ] …. ) …. – towards “an understanding” spanning from the verbal to the preverbal.

References

1. Varga von Kibéd, M. (2006): Solution-Focused Transverbality: How to keep the Essence of the Solution-Focused Approch by extending it. In: Lueger und Korn (Hrsg.) Solution-Focused Management, Band 1, Rainer Hampp Verlag: München und Mering; pp. 42-43, p. 48.
2. Sparrer, I. (2009): Systemische Strukturaufstellungen, Theorie und Praxis; Carl-Auer-Systeme Verlag, Heidelberg.
3. Lakoff, G.; Johnson, M. (1999): Philosophy in the Flesh: The Embodied Mind and Its Challenge to Western Thought; Basic Books, 1999; USA.
4. Polanyi, M. (2009): The Tacit Dimension; University of Chicago Press; Auflage: Reissue (1. Mai 2009); USA.
5. Ule, A. (1994): WILLE UND WUNSCH IN DER HANDLUNG BEI WITTGENSTEIN; Univerza v Ljubljani, Slovenien. http://sammelpunkt.philo.at:8080/412/1/17-1-94.TXT
6. Wittgenstein, L. (1963): Tractatus logico-philosophicus: Logisch-philosophische Abhandlung (edition suhrkamp), DE.
7. Goppelsröder, Fabian (2010): Bild, Sagen, Zeigen. Wittgensteins visuelles Denken; Fabian Goppelsröder. Date: XML TEI markup by WAB (Rune J. Falch, Heinz W. Krüger, Alois Pichler, Deirdre C.P. Smith) 2011-13. Last change 18.12.2013
8. Schuon, F. (1976): The Three Dimensions of Sufism by Source: Studies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 10, No. 1 (Winter, 1976). © World Wisdom, Inc.
9. Rosenberg, M. (2003): Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, Puddledancer Press; 2^nd edition, USA.

Introduction

This paper explores the relation between an increasing ‘place-independence’ of labour in creative industries and the persisting necessity of local embeddedness. The creative industries are predestined to display new trends of structural change in labour organisation (Manske/Schnell 2010). Because of dynamic developments of new forms of labour and labour organisation caused by developments in ICTs, as well as the potential for economic growth, the creative industries are an interesting field of research. Though these changes of labour organisation were in recent years more common in low-skill- and highly standardised areas commonly referred to as ‘crowdwork’ or ‘crowdsourcing’ (Howe 2006), these labour practices increasingly spread to high-skilled labour, the creative industries on its forefront.

Methods

This paper is the first output of an ongoing research project from the University of Vienna (Department of Sociology) and FORBA (Working Life Research Centre, Vienna). To provide a brief overview of current discussions about place and virtual work the paper sums up noteworthy contributions found in literature. In addition to the literature review first insights in our empirical research and preliminary results will be presented. The research’s design comprises a qualitative panel survey (35+ qualitative follow-up interviews) with people working in the creative industries. These interviews were and are being conducted in 2005 and 2015. The second part is a mapping of Austrian crowd workers and companies that outsource creative tasks. The third part of the empirical research implies 10-15 qualitative interviews with crowd workers. And in the fourth part 5-7 interviews with clients (people who or companies that outsource creative tasks) and 5 interviews with experts in the field of creative production are being conducted. All interviews will be fully transcribed and interpreted using sociological hermeneutics (Hitzler 1999; Froschauer/Lueger 2009) and content analysis (Mayring 2000).

Results and Discussion

The emergence and progression of information technologies have a vast impact on many aspects of creative work. Easier access to information technologies (i.e. computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.) contributes to a growing ‘place-independence’ of the production of creative goods. This delocalisation of ICT-enabled or virtual work is, ‘in principle’, always possible and is leading, according to commentators (see, for example, Friedman, 2006), to ‘world flattening’ effects. Better and easier access to the internet as well as faster and more reliable network structures increasingly allow creative producers to work online and connect themselves to clients from basically all over the world, for example via crowdsourcing platforms, e.g. Elance.com, 99designs.com, Freelancer.com etc., and thus drastically impact creative production itself as well as power relations between the creative producer and the client.

In contrast to this view, we argue that especially creative work is rooted deeply in places. Spatial aspects and social milieus influence the creative work process in various ways. In literature there are several arguments pointing to the spatial and geographic ‘embeddedness’ of (creative) work. There are, for one, classical agglomeration effects (Simmel 1992; Wirth 1938) that benefit the clustering of creative workers and hence foster the emergence of the creative industries. These arguments include infrastructural factors, such as architecture, transportation possibilities, size and density of the agglomeration area. Other explanations stressing the importance of place in regard to creative production focus on human capital (Florida 2002; Kotkin 2001), networks (Granovetter 1983; Grabher 2004) or social interaction (Storper/Venables 2003; Clare 2012; Currid 2007; Merkel/Oppen 2012). These theories emphasise, to a varying extend, the importance of place and spatial relations.

Conclusions

The paper concludes what is often perceived as ‘placele-independence’ needs to be actively ‘produced’ in every single case through a process which may include the digitisation of information, the modularisation of creative processes and the standardisation of tasks (Huws et al. 2004). In such processes, aspects of organisation, labour relations, technology and space are closely intertwined. To examine the socially contingent effects of digitalised work we need to analyse the ways in which crowdwork within social and economic power relations is made possible in the first place and the ways in which it can empower people or make them vulnerable.

References and Notes

1. Clare, Karenjit. The essential role of place within the creative industries: Boundaries, networks

and play. Cities 2012, Vol.34:52-57.

2. Currid, Elizabeth. How Art and Culture Happen in New York: Implications for Urban Economic Development. Journal of the American Planning Association 2007, Vol.73(4):454-467.

3. Florida, Richard. Bohemia and economic geography. Journal of Economic Geography 2002. Vol.2(1):55-71.

4. Froschauer, Ulrike; Lueger, Manfred. Interpretative Sozialforschung: der Prozess. Wien : Facultas.WUV. Austria, 2009.

5. Grabher, Gernot. Learning in projects, remembering in networks: Communality, sociality,

and connectivity in project ecologies. European Urban and Regional Studies, 2004, 11, no. 2:

103–23.

6. Granovetter, Mark. The Strenght of Weak Ties: A Network Theory Revisited . Sociological Theory, 1983, Vol.1, pp.201-233.

7. Friedman, Thomas L. The world is flat. A brief history of the twenty-first century. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2006.

8. Hitzler, Ronald; Hermeneutische Wissenssoziologie: Standpunkte zur Theorie der Interpretation. Konstanz: UVK, Univ.-Verl. Konstanz. Germany, 1999.

9. Howe, Jeff; The Rise of Crowdsourcing. Wired Magazine 2006, 14, 1-4.

10. Huws, U., Dahlmann, S. & Flecker, J. 2004. Outsourcing of ICT and Related Services in the EU: A Status Report. Report for the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

11. Kotkin, Joel. The new geography: how the digital revolution is reshaping the American landscape. New York: Random House, United States, 2001.

12. Manske, Andrea; Schnell, Christiane. Arbeit und Beschäftigung in der Kultur und Kreativwirtschaft. In Handbuch Arbeitssoziologie; Böhle, Fritz; Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Germany, 2010; pp. 699-727.

13. Mayring, Philipp. Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse : Grundlagen und Techniken. 7^Th ed.; Weinheim: Dt. Studien-Verlag, Germany, 2000.

14. Merkel, Janet; Oppen, Maria. Bedeutungsvolle Orte: Eine kultursoziologische Annäherung an kreative Handlungsressourcen in Städten. Working Paper. Berlin: Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB), Germany, 2012.

15. Simmel, Georg. Soziologie. Untersuchungen über die Formen der Vergesellschaftung. Collected works Vol. 11. Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, Germany, 1992.

16. Storper, Michael; Venables, Anthony. Buzz: face-to-face contact and the urban economy; In: Journal of Economic Geography 4, 2004, pp. 351-370.

17. Wirth, Louis. Urbanism as a way of life. In: The American Journal of Sociology 1938, 44(1). 1 – 24.