مطالب

This paper explores the philosophical relationship between Immanuel Kant's transcendental idealism and Ludwig Wittgenstein's linguistic philosophy, particularly focusing on the echoes of Kant's ideas in Wittgenstein's work. Kant's Critique of Pure Reason argues that human cognition is shaped by a priori categories, which structure our experience of phenomena but leave the noumenal realm unknowable. Wittgenstein, in his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, similarly examines the limits of what can be known; suggesting that language mirrors reality but also has its limits in expressing what lies beyond logic. In his later work, Philosophical Investigations, Wittgenstein emphasizes the social and contextual nature of meaning, developed through "language games" and "forms of life". This paper argues that while Wittgenstein shifts from Kant’s universal transcendental structures to a more pragmatic view of language, both philosophers share a concern with the limits of human knowledge and expression. Furthermore, both thinkers acknowledge the ineffable about Kant’s noumenal world and Wittgenstein’s mystical realm as crucial yet unreachable domains. This comparative analysis contributes to contemporary discussions in epistemology and philosophy of language, demonstrating the enduring relevance of Kant’s transcendental insights in Wittgenstein’s linguistic turn.

Objective : This study examines how different research and development (R&D) funding sources—business enterprise R&D (BERD), higher education R&D (HERD), and government-financed R&D (GOVERD)—influence national innovation and competitiveness, measured by the Global Innovation Index (GII) and Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). This study addresses a critical gap by moving beyond aggregate R&D spending to examine how funding composition shapes innovation capacity.  Methodology: Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was conducted on a sample of 47 countries using data from OECD R&D Statistics, World Bank Development Indicators, and GII/GCI reports. Missing values (< 3%) were imputed using mean substitution. Diagnostic tests were applied to verify normality, minimal multicollinearity, and compliance with heteroscedasticity assumptions. Two models were subsequently estimated with GII and GCI as dependent variables. Results : For the GII model (R² = 0.601, F = 12.37, p < 0.001), overall GERD intensity was significantly positive (β = 10.54, p = 0.040), while disaggregated components (BERD, HERD, GOVERD) showed no individual significance due to multicollinearity. GDP per capita was robust (β = 8.78e-05, p = 0.019). For the GCI model (R² = 0.651, F = 15.31, p < 0.001), GERD was non-significant; GDP per capita remained the strongest predictor (β = 0.0003, p < 0.001). Regression assumptions were satisfied (Jarque-Bera p > 0.44; Durbin-Watson ≈ 2.1). Conclusion : Overall R&D intensity significantly influences innovation, but relationships with disaggregated sources are complex. The importance of GDP per capita shows that the quality of institutions and the ability to absorb new ideas are both important for turning R&D spending into innovation and competitiveness benefits. Policymakers should prioritize both R&D funding levels and the institutional environment enabling effective R&D utilization.

This study examines the reciprocal relationship between urban transformation in Mecca and the constitution of identity in Raja Alem’s contemporary Saudi novel, The Dove's Necklace (2010). While existing scholarship frequently addresses the marginalization of women or the sociocultural erosion resulting from Mecca’s urbanization, it often overlooks the mutually constitutive dynamic between the city and its inhabitants. This paper argues that the rapid redevelopment of Mecca precipitates simultaneous and interconnected transformations in both its physical landscape and its characters’ subjectivities. The analysis employs a chronotopic framework, drawing on Bakhtin’s concept of the chronotope to demonstrate how Mecca’s space and time and the characters' sense of self are intrinsically linked and co-productive. By operationalizing the chronotope within a tangible, physical context, this study addresses a critical gap in literary scholarship. Consequently, it not only elucidates the complexity of Alem’s narrative but also positions The Dove's Necklace within global discourses on urbanization, cultural heritage, and the negotiation of identity, thereby underscoring the significance of contemporary Middle Eastern literature for an international readership.

The relationship between Rome and Parthia is one of the most important issues in ancient history. Still, only some scholars, such as archaeologists, historians, and linguists, have written books and articles about this subject. Rome, Parthia, and the Politics of Peace, The Origins of War in the Ancient Middle East, by Jason M. Schlude, is a new book in this field.