Vilnis ZARINS

Dr. Vilnis ZARINS Leading Researcher Institute of Philosophy and Sociology Akademijas laukums 1 Riga, LV 1940 Latvia Phone: +371 722 9208 Fax:     +371 721 0806 E-mail: vilnisza@ac.lza.lv

Born: May 24, 1930, Jurmala, Latvia

• Translation of philosophical texts
• Philosophical terminology
• Humanism
• Decolonization of Eastern Europe
• Problems of re-establishing of the independence and statehood of Latvia

Languages: Latvian, Russian, French, German, English

• Latvia State Pedagogical Institute, cum laude, 1953
• Dr. phil. (Candidate of Science in former USSR), University of Latvia, 1971

• Teacher in a secondary school
• Associated Professor of Philosophy, University of Latvia, 1967-1985

• Leading Researcher, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, 1985-

• Corresponding Member, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1992
• Order of Three Stars (Republic of Latvia), 1996

• Expert, World Bank project (CEE FDI) "The Fiscal Decentralization Initiative in Central and Eastern Europe".

• Member, The Latvian Union of Scientists, 1988

• Member, Riga City Council, 1998 -

Courses

• History of West-European philosophy of 16-19 centuries
• Contemporary social and cultural problems in Latvia

Recent/Representative Publications

• Involved in preparing of the anthology ‘’History of Ideas in Latvia’’ (Riga, 1995, 608 pp.). V. Zarins translated from the German language into Latvian texts by J.G. Hamman and A. Spage as well as edited texts by P.E. Wilde, V.K. Friebe, J.G. Eisens, K.F. Snell, H.J. Jannaus and G.B. Jesche.

• Collection of essays ‘’The time of Ravens and Sky-larks’’, Riga, Zvaigzne, 1995, 165 pp. It contains a number of articles by V. Zarins published in the periodicals of previous years on the contemporary society in Latvia and some problems of culture. The Introduction and critical remarks were written in 1995.

• Introduction ‘’The Epoch, Life and Work of Seneca’’ to the book ‘’Letters on Ethics by Seneca to Lucily’’, Riga, Zinatne, 1996, pp. 5-14.

• Voltaire’s life and philosophical novels, Introduction to Voltaire’s ‘’Zadig’’, ‘’Micromegas’’ and ‘’Candid’’ translated from French into Latvian by V. Zarins (Riga, 1979) (in Latvian).

• M. de Montaigne (1533- 1592) and his Time. Introduction to translation of the first volume of Essays (Riga, 1981) (in Latvian).

• M. de Montaigne`s views on social and political problems. Introduction to translation of the second volume of Essays (Riga, 1982). (in Latvian).

• M. de Montaigne's views on science and knowledge. Introduction on translation of the third volume of Essays (Riga, 1984). (in Latvian).

• Paradoxes of relationship between an individual and the society in Diderot’s satire ‘’Ramo’s Nephew.’’ (Riga, 1988) Introduction to ‘’Ramo’s Nephew ‘’ translated from French into Latvian by V. Zarins. (in Latvian).

• D. Diderot’s satire ‘’Ramo’s Nephew ‘’ as a mirror of French Enlightenment Culture. Postscript to D. Diderot’s satire. (Riga, 1988). (in Latvian).

• La Roshefoucauld and his Maxims. Introduction to ‘’Maxims’’ translated from French into Latvian by V. Zarins. (Riga, 1992) (in Latvian).

• Introductions  to Latvian translations of philosophical works by Fr. Bacon, J. Locke, G. Berkeley, D.Humes, G.W.F. Hegel (in Latvian).

• Collection of Articles "Who Owns the House? ", 1999

• Tao te Ching, the Circumstances of its Creation and Possibilities of its Interpretation". - Translator's preface to the Latvian translation of Lao Tzu "Thao te Ching', 2nd edittion, 2001, Zvaigzne ABC Publ..

• When the Occupants are Seemingly Gone.... - Karogs (Magazine), 2001,. N 4 (in Latvian).

• Humanism and the Culture of Postcolonialism. - Karogs (Magazine), 2002,. N 7 (in Latvian).

• The Basic Values of Classical Humanism and Their Influence on the Present Latvian Society. Latvian Council of Science.

• Values of Classical Humanism and Its Reception in Latvia. Latvian Council of Science (2001 -2004 ).

• Development of the Sense of Statehood of Latvian Nation. Latvian Council of Science (2005 - ).

 

 

---

Last update 22.11.2002