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Memetics : truth and freedom as ontological, phenomenological, and epistemological concepts elucidated by memeticsAndrej Drapal, 2024, doktorska disertacija
Opis: The thesis explores the scientific discipline of memetics, which connects evolutionary
biology with social sciences. Originally proposed by Richard Dawkins in 1976, memetics
has faced significant developments and criticisms. This thesis aims to solidify memetics’
position as a scientific discipline and establish methodological foundations for the social
sciences by proposing a precise definition of memes’ identity.
The primary focus of the thesis is the coevolution of biological (genes/physical) and
cultural (memetic/mental) aspects, advancing this classic dualism into NOCEMA, a concept
inspired by S.J. Gould’s Non-Overlapping Magisteria. Instead of seeking to experimentally
prove memes, the thesis examines their role in cultural spheres and their benefits as cultural
building blocks. This exploration is nonlinear and recursive, mirroring the nature of the
subject itself.
The thesis employs a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, drawing from various
scientific disciplines to create a comprehensive understanding of memetics. Key themes
include intersubjectivity, subjectivity, consciousness, novelty, meaning, language,
discourse, individuality, quantum mechanics, set theory, and fractal geometry. It addresses
issues like belief, fashion, memory, understanding, creativity, branding, and the relationship
between ethics and morality.
Methods include a combination of phenomenology, ontology, and the archaeology of
memes. These methods are applied to analyze the coevolution of biological and cultural
aspects and propose a precise definition of memes’ identity. The thesis also employs a
pluralistic methodology, comparing theories with other theories rather than with empirical
data, aligning with the work of scholars like Feyerabend.
The results underscore that memetics is fundamentally about communication and thus aims
to provide novel tools for research in the communication field. The thesis concludes that
memetics is both a description of reality and a method for exploring social reality. It
highlights the importance of memetics in understanding human culture and communication,
proposing it as a significant contribution to various fields of study.
Ključne besede: memetika, memi, evolucija, koevolucija, komunikacija, ontologija, fenomenologija, epistemologija, etika, doktorske disertacije
Objavljeno v ReVIS: 13.03.2025; Ogledov: 408; Prenosov: 21
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