Latvian Maritime academy

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARITIME SELF-CONCEPT
OF SEAFARER’S PERSONALITY IN REGARD TO EUROPEAN
HISTORY OF IDEOLOGY
Asta Gliožienė
Lithuanian Maritime Academy, 7 I. Kanto Street, Klaipėda, LT-92123, Lithuania,
E-mail: a.glioziene@lajm.lt, phone: +370 46 397 240
Saulius Lileikis
Lithuanian Maritime Academy, 7 I. Kanto Street., Klaipėda, LT-92123, Lithuania,
E-mail: s.lileikis@lajm.lt, phone: +370 46 397 240
Abstract
Development of the maritime self-concept of seafarer’s personality is described. The personality value is
analyzed from the point of view of the contact with the sea. The research object is a development of the
maritime self-concept. The object has been researched at scientific levels of ideological and psychoeducational
prerequisites. The research goal is a discovery of the formation of maritime self-concept
from the ideological and psycho-educational point of view. Tasks are as follows – characterization of the
European maritime self-concept from the historical and ideological point of view, and revelation of
psycho-educational factors of the maritime self-concept development. Methodology of the research
consists of the STCW convention, paradigm of universal upbringing, idealism, humanism, existentialism,
existential phenomenology and neotomism. Transcendental perspective of the maritime self-concept,
classic European mentality, intuitive and creative mythologization of marine events, direct experience of
the sea, marine education of the health, maritime studies and professional activity enrich the seafarer’s
personality.
Keywords: maritime self-concept, seafarer’s personality, European ideology, psycho-education.
Introduction
Development of the maritime self-concept, at methodological levels of the personality value and
IMO 1 positive campaign “Go to sea!” [1], is described in the scientific article. The personality value is
analyzed from the point of view of the contact with the sea. What is personality value and what criterion
defines it? The personality value can be perceived as high and very small but altogether it appears as a
natural spiritual rudiment from the methodological point of view.
This is fundamental ontological and anthropological minimum of human nature. The scientific
theory of the maritime self-concept reflects the value of personality. The personality is intended to live on
the highest values and improve its value, harmony and spiritual maturity [21]. The aspiration of personal
harmony and maturity needs a minimal level of the personality value at least.
The essence of the maritime self-concept of personality consists of free, individual,
phenomenological and subjective perception of the sea and valuable self-consciousness from the
axiological, methodological and practical point of view.
It is possible to register physic and partially psychic development of the personality. However it is
most difficult to explore a spiritual dimension. The specifics and complexity of the spiritual dimension
promote confidence in the ideal and phenomenological research [13]. The phenomenological analysis of
the maritime self-concept helps get closer to the truth at the level of scientific prerequisites. This truth is
not absolute but it is valid scientifically and significant for educational practice.
The scientific problem of the maritime self-concept of the personality is multidimensional. This
problem includes many factors, conditions and positions. However education of the maritime self-concept
demands ideological and psychologically suggestive basis primarily from the hodegetical point of view.
Education of the maritime self-concept is based on a transcendental idea of the European culture tradition.
This idea lets feel the value and dignity of the personality and its European identity. The most important
condition of personal dignity is freedom to move away from the absolutely natural and deterministic selfconsciousness
[11, 12].
1 IMO (International Maritime Organization)
21