European Journal of Science and Theology, October 2014, Vol.10, No.5, 33-44 _______________________________________________________________________ SOCIO-CULTURAL DYNAMICS AND ETHOS OF CONTEMPORARY MAN IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Sabína Gáliková Tolnaiová 1 and Martin Dojčár 2* 1 Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of General and Applied Ethics, Hodžova 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia 2 Trnava University in Trnava, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Studies, Priemyselná 4, 918 43 Trnava, Slovakia (Received 12 March 2014, revised 7 June 2014) Abstract Based on our historical experience in the form of macro-problems and the related threats of the contemporary man and his world, we are aware of the need of new socio-cultural dynamics, even of a broader change of the formed way of human existence. The challenge today seems to be to develop a new way of life and its „ethos‟. The task is to apply new socio-cultural dynamics and quality to our practice with regard to the future that respects clear connection and mutual determination of social and environmental phenomena. The study is based on a presumption that in the intentions of sustainable development the new demanded socio-cultural dynamics requires a man oriented in the meanings of reality that is not axiologically and ethically neutral. In this context, among other things, the need to work on „new science‟, in which the human dimension will be strengthened, is uncovered. In particular, it seeks to exceed the traditional frameworks of scientistic foundations. The authors also point out to the inevitable and anthropologically relevant cultivation and (spiritual-) cultural conversion of the human subject itself, which would lead to his new „ethos‟. The focus is on its three important correlated moments (movements): „ethisation‟, „ecologisation‟ and „spiritualisation‟. In this connection is raised the question of a new education paradigm in a democratic society, which could productively participate on the project of future world in the intentions of sustainable development. Keywords: philosophy, education, ethisation, ecologisation, spiritualisation 1. Introduction Based on our historical experience in the form of macro-problems and the related threats of a contemporary man and his world we are aware of the need of new socio-cultural dynamics, new human practice, or a broader change of the formed way of human existence. However, at the same time, we are aware of the fact that the needed change, in respect of the future, can‟t be achieved right now. * Corresponding author, e-mail: martin.dojcar@truni.sk