On War, Uncertainty, and Future: Lessons Learned from the Eastern Philosophy

- Danylova, T.V. (orcid.org/0000-0002-0297-9473), Kuźma, I.B. (orcid.org/0000-0003-0195-0270), Sushyi, O.V. (orcid.org/0000-0002-4364-7571), Matviienko, I. (orcid.org/0000-0002-0606-0544), Bezhnar, A. (orcid.org/0000-0002-4516-352X), Poperechna, Galyna (orcid.org/0000-0003-2191-9908) and Honcharenko, K. (orcid.org/0000-0003-1162-9464) (2022) On War, Uncertainty, and Future: Lessons Learned from the Eastern Philosophy Wiadomości Lekarskie, 8 (1) (75). pp. 1914-1919. ISSN 0043-5147

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Abstract

The aim: The paper aims to examine the relationship between uncertainty and plans for the future in traumatic situations such as war, as well as the role of the Eastern philosophy and its practical implications in managing uncertainty. Materials and methods: The authors used integrative anthropological approach, interpretive research paradigm, hermeneutical approach along with narrative approach. The data collection was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar databases. Research papers were identified according to search terms “uncertainty”, “mental health”, “health”, “refugee”, “anxiety”, “depression”, “war”, “future”, “Eastern philosophy”, “mindfulness”. Conclusion: Bearing a set of negative beliefs about uncertainty and reacting negatively to uncertain and unpredictable situations, individuals fall into a vicious cycle of uncertainty fueled by their fear of uncertainty. Uncertainty takes us to the future that seems threatening or returns us to the world of primordial chaos. In both cases, we are not in the present moment, “here and now”. As far as we have no control over the past and future, we feel helpless and experience fear, anxiety, depression. Returning to the present gives us back control over the situation. By expanding the range of possible visions of the future, we stop focusing on the worst-case scenario. By accepting the situation and realizing what is subject to our control and what is not, we learn to comfort uncertainty by elaborating possible futures taking into account both our desires and the current situation. Our thoughts and actions today determine our tomorrow. We cannot overcome uncertainty since it is ontologically predetermined. But we can manage our responses to uncertainty turning to the Eastern philosophy thereby maintaining our mental and physical health and expanding the functional field of human capabilities to achieve freedom and self-realization.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	mental health, war, uncertainty, refugee, future, Eastern philosophy, mindfulness
Subjects:	Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 1 Philosophy. Psychology
Divisions:	The Institute of Social and Political Psychology > Laboratory for Methodology of Psychosocial and Political Psychological Research
Depositing User:	Ст.н.спів. Тетяна Вікторівна Данилова
Date Deposited:	12 Nov 2022 17:20
Last Modified:	12 Nov 2022 17:20
URI:	https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/732335

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