35 levels and forms of social consciousness. Forms of social consciousness

As a total spiritual product, it is important to understand how the relative independence of social consciousness in relation to social existence is manifested.

Social consciousness acts as a necessary side of the socio-historical process, as a function of society as a whole. Its independence is manifested in development according to its own internal laws. Social consciousness may lag behind social existence, but it may also be ahead of it. It is important to see continuity in the development of social consciousness, as well as in the manifestation of the interaction of various forms of social consciousness. Of particular importance is the active reverse influence of social consciousness on social existence.

There are two levels of social consciousness: social psychology and ideology. Social psychology is a set of feelings, moods, customs, traditions, motivations characteristic of a given society as a whole and for each of the large social groups. Ideology is a system of theoretical views that reflects the degree of society’s knowledge of the world as a whole and its individual aspects. This is the level of theoretical reflection of the world; if the first is emotional, sensual, then the second is the rational level of social consciousness. The interaction of social psychology and ideology, as well as the relationship with them of ordinary consciousness and mass consciousness, is considered complex.

Forms of social consciousness

As social life develops, human cognitive abilities arise and are enriched, which exist in the following basic forms of social consciousness: moral, aesthetic, religious, political, legal, scientific, philosophical.

Morality- a form of social consciousness in which the views and ideas, norms and assessments of the behavior of individuals, social groups and society as a whole are reflected.

Political consciousness is a set of feelings, stable moods, traditions, ideas and holistic theoretical systems that reflect the fundamental interests of large social groups, their relationship to each other and to the political institutions of society.

Right is a system of social norms and relations protected by the power of the state. Legal awareness is knowledge and assessment of law. At the theoretical level, legal consciousness appears in the form of legal ideology, which is an expression of the legal views and interests of large social groups.

Aesthetic consciousness there is an awareness of social existence in the form of concrete, sensual, artistic images.

Religion is a form of social consciousness, the basis of which is belief in the supernatural. It includes religious ideas, religious feelings, religious actions.

Philosophical consciousness- this is the theoretical level of worldview, the science of the most general laws of nature, society and thinking and the universal method of their knowledge, the spiritual quintessence of its era.

Scientific consciousness is a systematized and rational reflection of the world in a special scientific language, based and confirmed in the practical and factual verification of its provisions. It reflects the world in categories, laws and theories.

And here we cannot do without knowledge, ideology and politics. In the social sciences, there have been different interpretations and opinions about the essence and meaning of these concepts since their inception. But it is more expedient for us to begin the analysis of the problem posed with philosophy. This is justified not so much by the fact that, in terms of the time of its appearance, philosophy precedes all other sciences, but by the fact - and this is decisive - that philosophy acts as the foundation, the basis on which all other social sciences rest, i.e. engaged in the study of society and science. Specifically, this is manifested in the fact that since philosophy studies the most general laws of social development and the most general principles of the study of social phenomena, their knowledge, and most importantly - application, will be the methodological basis that other social sciences use, including ideology and politics . So, the defining and guiding role of philosophy in relation to ideology and politics is manifested in the fact that it acts as a methodological basis, the foundation of ideological and political doctrines.

Ideology

Now let's see what it is ideology when and why it arose and what function it performs in the life of society. The term “ideology” was first introduced into use by the French philosopher and economist A. de Tracy in 1801 in his work “Elements of Ideology” for the “analysis of sensations and ideas.” During this period, ideology acts as a unique philosophical movement, marking the transition from enlightenment empiricism to traditional spiritualism, which became widespread in European philosophy in the first half of the 19th century. During the reign of Napoleon, due to the fact that some philosophers took a hostile position towards him and his reforms, the French emperor and his entourage began to call “ideologists” or “doctrinaires” persons whose views were divorced from the practical problems of public life and real life. politicians. It was during this period that ideology begins to move from a philosophical discipline to its current state, i.e. into a doctrine more or less devoid of objective content and expressing and defending the interests of various social forces. In the middle of the 19th century. a new approach to clarifying the content and public knowledge of ideology was made by K. Marx and F. Engels. Fundamental in understanding the essence of ideology is its understanding as a certain form of social consciousness. Although ideology has relative independence in relation to the processes occurring in society, in general its essence and social orientation are determined by social existence.

Another point of view on ideology was expressed by V. Pareto (1848-1923), an Italian sociologist and political economist. In his interpretation, ideology differs significantly from science, and they have nothing in common. If the latter is based on observations and logical comprehension, then the former is based on feelings and faith. According to Pareto, it is a socio-economic system that has equilibrium due to the fact that the antagonistic interests of social strata and classes neutralize each other. Despite the constant antagonism caused by inequality between people, human society nevertheless exists and this happens because it is controlled through ideology, a belief system, by selected people, the human elite. It turns out that the functioning of society depends to a large extent on the ability of the elite to convey their beliefs, or ideology, to the consciousness of people. Ideology can be brought to the consciousness of people through explanation, persuasion, and also through violent actions. At the beginning of the 20th century. The German sociologist K. Mannheim (1893-1947) expressed his understanding of ideology. Based on the position borrowed from Marxism about the dependence of social consciousness on social existence, ideology on economic relations, he develops the concept of individual and universal ideology. By individual or private ideology is meant “a set of ideas that more or less comprehend real reality, the true knowledge of which conflicts with the interests of the one who proposes the ideology itself.” More generally, ideology is the universal “view of the world” of a social group or class. In the first, i.e. on an individual level, the analysis of ideology should be carried out from a psychological perspective, and on the second – from a sociological perspective. In both the first and second cases, ideology, according to the German thinker, is an idea that can grow into a situation, subjugate and adapt it to itself.

“Ideology,” Manheim asserts, “are ideas that have an impact on the situation and which in reality could not realize their potential content. Often ideas act as well-intentioned goals of individual behavior. When they try to realize them in practical life, their content is deformed. Denying class consciousness and, accordingly, class ideology, Mannheim recognizes, in essence, only the social, particular interests of professional groups and individuals of different generations.Among them, a special role is assigned to the creative intelligentsia, supposedly standing outside of classes and capable of impartial knowledge of society, although only level of possibility. What Pareto and Mannheim have in common will be the opposition of ideology to the positive sciences. For Pareto, this is the opposition of ideology to science, and for Mannheim - ideology to utopias. Taking into account how Pareto and Mannheim characterize ideology, its essence can be characterized as follows: any faith is considered an ideology , with the help of which collective actions are controlled. The term faith should be understood in its broadest sense and, in particular, as a concept that regulates behavior and which may or may not have an objective meaning. The most thorough and reasoned interpretation of ideology and its essence was given by the founders of Marxism and their followers. They define ideology as a system of views and ideas with the help of which the relationships and connections of people with reality and with each other, social problems and conflicts are comprehended and assessed, and the goals and objectives of social activity are determined, which consist in consolidating or changing existing social relations.

In a class society, ideology is of a class nature and reflects the interests of social groups and classes. First of all, ideology is part of social consciousness and belongs to its highest level, since in a systematized form, embodied in concepts and theories, it expresses the basic interests of classes and social groups. Structurally, it includes both theoretical principles and practical actions. Speaking about the formation of ideology, it should be borne in mind that it does not arise on its own from the everyday life of people, but is created by social scientists, politicians and government figures. At the same time, it is very important to know that ideological concepts are not necessarily created by representatives of the class or social group whose interests they express. World history shows that among the representatives of the ruling classes there were many ideologists who, sometimes unconsciously, expressed the interests of other social strata. Theoretically, ideologists become such due to the fact that they express in a systematic or fairly explicit form the goals and necessity of political and socio-economic transformations, to which empirically, i.e. in the process of its practical activities, one or another class or group of people comes. The nature of ideology, its focus and qualitative assessment depend on whose social interests it corresponds to. Ideology, although it is a product of social existence, but, having relative independence, has a huge reverse impact on public life and social transformations. During critical historical periods in the life of society, this influence in historically short periods of time can be decisive.

Policy- a historically transitory phenomenon. It begins to form only at a certain stage in the development of society. Thus, in primitive tribal society there were no political relations. The life of society was regulated by centuries-old habits and traditions. Politics as a theory and management of social relations begins to take shape as more developed forms of division of social labor and private ownership of tools of labor emerge, because Tribal relations were unable to regulate new relations between people using old folk methods. Actually, starting from this stage of human development, i.e. Since the emergence of slave society, the first secular ideas and ideas about the origin and essence of power, state and politics appear. Naturally, the idea of ​​the subject and essence of politics has changed, and we will focus on the interpretation of politics that is currently more or less generally accepted, i.e. about politics as a theory of state, politics as a science and the art of management. The first famous thinker who touched upon the issues of development and organization of society and expressed ideas about the state was Aristotle, who did this in his treatise “Politics”. Aristotle forms his ideas about the state based on an analysis of the social history and political structure of a number of Greek city-states. The basis of the Greek thinker’s teaching about the state is his conviction that man is a “political animal,” and his life in the state is the natural essence of man. The state is presented as a developed community of communities, and the community as a developed family. His family is the prototype of the state, and he transfers its structure to the state structure. Aristotle's doctrine of the state has a clearly defined class character.

Slave state- this is the natural state of the organization of society, and therefore the existence of slave owners and slaves, masters and subordinates is completely justified. The main tasks of the state, i.e. , there must be prevention of excessive accumulation of wealth among citizens, since this is fraught with social instability; the immense growth of political power in the hands of one individual and the keeping of slaves in obedience. A significant contribution to the doctrine of state and politics was made by N. Machiavelli (1469 - 1527), an Italian political thinker and public figure. The state and politics, according to Machiavelli, are not of religious origin, but represent an independent side of human activity, the embodiment of free human will within the framework of necessity, or fortune (fate, happiness). Politics is not determined by God or morality, but is the result of practical human activity, the natural laws of life and human psychology. The main motives that determine political activity, according to Machiavelli, are real interests, self-interest, and the desire for enrichment. The sovereign, the ruler must be an absolute ruler and even a despot. He should not be limited by either moral or religious precepts in achieving his goals. Such rigidity is not a whim; it is dictated by the circumstances themselves. Only a strong and tough sovereign can ensure the normal existence and functioning of the state and keep in his sphere of influence the cruel world of people striving for wealth, prosperity and guided only by selfish principles.

According to Marxism, politics is an area of ​​human activity determined by relations between classes, social strata, and ethnic groups. Its main goal is the problem of conquest, retention and use of state power. The most important thing in politics is the structure of state power. The state acts as a political superstructure over the economic base. Through it the economically dominant class ensures its political dominance. Essentially, the main function of the state in a class society becomes the protection of the fundamental interests of the ruling class. Three factors ensure the power and strength of the state. Firstly, this is public power, which includes a permanent administrative and bureaucratic apparatus, the army, the police, the court, and houses of detention. These are the most powerful and effective government bodies. Secondly, the right to collect taxes from the population and institutions, which are necessary mainly for the maintenance of the state apparatus, power and numerous governing bodies. Thirdly, this is an administrative-territorial division, which contributes to the development of economic relations and the creation of administrative and political conditions for their regulation. Along with class interests, the state to a certain extent expresses and protects national interests, regulates, mainly through a system of legal norms, the entire range of economic, socio-political, national and family relations, thereby helping to strengthen the existing socio-economic order. One of the most important levers with which the state carries out its activities is law. Law is a set of norms of behavior enshrined in laws and approved by the state. As Marx and Engels put it, law is the will of the ruling class, elevated to law. With the help of law, economic and social or socio-political relations are consolidated, i.e. relationships between classes and social groups, family status and the position of national minorities. After the formation of the state and the establishment of law in society, previously non-existent political and legal relations are formed. The representatives of political relations are political parties that express the interests of various classes and social groups.

Political relations, the struggle between parties for power is nothing more than a struggle of economic interests. Each class and social group is interested in establishing the priority of its interests in society with the help of constitutional laws. For example, workers are interested in objective remuneration for their work, students are interested in a scholarship that would provide them with at least food, owners of banks, factories and other property are interested in preserving private property. We can say that at a certain stage the economy gives rise to politics and political parties because they are needed for normal existence and development. Although politics is a product of the economy, it nevertheless not only has relative independence, but also has a certain influence on the economy, and in periods of transition and crisis this influence can even determine the path of economic development. The influence of politics on the economy is carried out in various ways: directly, through economic policies pursued by government bodies (financing of various projects, investments, prices of goods); establishment of customs duties on industrial products in order to protect domestic producers; pursuing a foreign policy that would favor the activities of domestic producers in other countries. The active role of politics in stimulating economic development can be carried out in three directions: 1) when political factors act in the same direction as the objective course of economic development, they accelerate it; 2) when they act contrary to economic development, then they hold it back; 3) they can slow down development in some directions and accelerate it in others.

Carrying out the right policies directly depends on the extent to which the political forces in power are guided by the laws of social development and take into account the interests of classes and social groups in their activities. So, we can say that in order to understand the socio-political processes occurring in society, it is important to know not only the role of social philosophy, ideology, and politics separately, but also their interaction and mutual influence.

Basic forms of social consciousness.

1. Social existence and social consciousness. Patterns of development of social consciousness. The position that the social existence of people determines their social consciousness is fundamental in the theory of the materialist understanding of history. The concepts of “social being” and “social consciousness” are introduced to solve the main question of philosophy in relation to society. Its content is expressed in the Marxist principle of the primacy of social existence and the secondary nature of social consciousness.

The category “social being” denotes a part of the material world that K. Marx isolated from nature and presented as social reality. He viewed the development of society as a special material process, different from the physical and biological and subject to specific social laws in its development. It is the principle of the primacy of social existence and the secondary nature of social consciousness, the idea of ​​social laws and the position of the determining role of material production in the life of society that constitute the essence of historical materialism.

Social existence- these are the material conditions of society, the material relations of people to each other and to nature (tools of labor, geographical environment, man himself, production relations).

Social consciousness- this is a complex set of feelings, moods, customs, traditions, views, ideas, theories, which reflect social existence, the real process of people’s lives.

Social consciousness is inextricably linked with social existence. Social consciousness is the main attribute of human activity and reveals itself in all manifestations of social existence.

Several methodological approaches have emerged in the study of social consciousness. Of particular interest are the epistemological and sociological aspects of the study of social consciousness.

Epistemological approach is based on an assessment of social consciousness and its constituent elements as perfect reflection objective world, which indicates the focus of this methodology on truth. In this case, all levels and forms of social consciousness are classified depending on whether they reflect the objective-substantive side of things and processes, and if they do, then what is the degree of depth of this reflection.

Sociological approach is aimed at assessing social consciousness and its elements, taking into account their role and significance for the activities of a social entity. The key point of this approach is not objective truth as such, but the expression of the interests of a certain social subject and its role in justifying the life of a person and society.

One should keep in mind one more important methodological position related to the comprehension of the consciousness of society, the consciousness of man. Its essence is that consciousness acts not just as a reflection of existence, but as human life itself, i.e. we are talking about the real existence of consciousness itself. From this point of view, social consciousness acts not only as an ideal image of social existence, regulating its activities, but also as the very life of society. In other words, social consciousness is part of social existence, and “the very existence of people is social, because social consciousness functions.”

Considering the relationship between social existence and social consciousness, K. Marx opened the main patterns of development of social consciousness . The first rule is that social consciousness depends on social existence, is determined by the material conditions of society. The dependence of social consciousness on social existence can be traced in epistemological and sociological aspects. Wherein epistemological aspect means that social consciousness is a spiritual mental reflection of social existence in a variety of social feelings, moods, interests, ideas, views and theories that arise in specific historical societies among the majority of people. Sociological aspect means that the role of social consciousness is determined by social existence.

Social consciousness is generated by the material conditions of people's lives, in the system of which the main role is played by the method of production of material goods. It arose on the basis of labor activity and is aimed at servicing this activity. As the founders of Marxism noted, “people who develop their material production and their material communication, along with this reality, also change their thinking and the products of their thinking. It is not consciousness that determines life, but life that determines consciousness.”

Reflection of social existence is a complex, often indirect process. It is influenced by the economic state of society, class and other social relations. In a class society, this law is also manifested in the class character of social consciousness, since the social, including economic, position (being) of different classes is not the same. It should also be noted that social existence influences social consciousness not mechanically, but through material and spiritual needs (personal and social), which arise in the process of people’s lives, are recognized by them and give rise to personal and public interests, i.e. the desire to satisfy these interests (hidden behind practical needs). This is what people are guided by in their practical activities, and not just thoughts and ideas, as they themselves are used to explaining. People's activities are determined by needs, which are conceptualized as personal, corporate, and class interests.

The second regularity in the functioning of social consciousness is its relative independence from social life. The relative independence of social consciousness is its ability to break away from the existence of society and, following the internal logic of its own existence, to develop according to its specific laws within the limits of the final and general dependence of social consciousness on social existence.

The question arises: what determines the relative independence of social consciousness? IN epistemological aspect– the nature of consciousness itself as a reflection of being, its active, creative character. Consciousness not only copies reality, but strives to cognize, penetrate into its essence, and, as it were, “ideally” transform it. IN sociological aspect– the separation of mental labor from physical labor, as a result of which spiritual production is to some extent “isolated” from material production, although, ultimately, they are in organic unity.

The relative independence of social consciousness is manifested:

- V continuity spiritual development of humanity. Social ideas and theories in every new era do not arise out of nowhere. They are developed on the basis of the achievements of previous eras. For example, the Renaissance would hardly have taken place without the support of its “titans” on the humanistic traditions of ancient philosophy and culture;

- that public consciousness is capable get ahead social existence. This ability is especially inherent in theoretical consciousness (science and ideology). When the non-Euclidean geometries of Lobachevsky and Riemann appeared, their contemporaries were unaware of the objects to which the discoveries made would be applicable. And only later, as the space of the microworld and megaworld (space) was mastered, these geometries received wide practical application;

- is that public consciousness can fall behind from social life. Examples of lag include remnants of the past, which persist especially long and stubbornly in the field of social psychology, where habits, traditions, and established ideas that have great inertial force play a huge role;

- V active role social ideas and theories, human feelings, desires, aspirations, will. The strength and effectiveness of social ideas depends on the degree of their dissemination among the masses, on the willingness of people to apply practical efforts to implement them. In other words, social consciousness has the ability to actively, inversely influence social existence;

– in interaction various forms of social consciousness. Political, legal, philosophical, religious, moral, artistic consciousness are interconnected and influence each other. Moreover, one of the forms may be a priority or even a monopoly in the spiritual life of a particular society. Thus, in a totalitarian society, as a rule, political consciousness (and political practice) dominates, everyone else finds themselves in a position dependent on them or is crowded out.

Thus, these patterns allow us to consider social consciousness as an integral spiritual phenomenon in its dynamic state.

2. The structure of social consciousness, its main elements. Social and individual consciousness. Social consciousness is a complex structure, multi-quality formation. Structure of public consciousness - this is its structure, device, including its various elements, sides, faces, aspects and mutual connections between them.

The division of social consciousness into separate elements can be carried out in different ways reasons."Firstly, from the point of view carrier, the subject is distinguished by individual, group (class, national, etc.), social, universal consciousness. Secondly, from the point of view concrete historical approach– mythological, religious, philosophical; by era - ancient, medieval, etc. Thirdly, based on various forms of activity, in the process of which it is developed, or the spheres of activity within which it develops - environmental, economic, legal, political, moral, religious, philosophical, aesthetic, scientific. Fourthly, according to level and depth penetration into activity – everyday and theoretical.”

It follows from this that in the public consciousness such various elements as levels, spheres, forms; they are all interconnected and interact with each other. And therefore consciousness is not only differentiated, but also holistic.

Levels public consciousness are everyday and theoretical consciousness. They correspond to the following spheres public consciousness as social psychology and ideology.

Ordinary consciousness– this is everyday, practical consciousness, it is a function of the direct practical activity of people and most often reflects the world at the level of phenomena, and not its essential deep connections. As society develops, everyday consciousness undergoes changes. Under the influence of the scientific and technological revolution, the life of society is changing significantly, which cannot but affect everyday consciousness. At the same time, the everyday life of society does not require servicing it with consciousness at the level of science. For example, it is possible to use electricity, cars, and computers in everyday life without knowledge of the scientific principles that underlie the creation of these technical phenomena. Ordinary consciousness fully satisfies the requirements of everyday life. And within this local space, he can comprehend objective truth.

It is necessary to distinguish between concepts "ordinary consciousness" and "mass consciousness". In the first case, we are talking about the degree of “learnedness” of consciousness, in the second – about the degree of its prevalence in a particular society. Mass consciousness reflects the conditions of people's everyday life, their needs and interests. It includes views, ideas, illusions, and social feelings of people common in society. It intertwines everyday psychological and theoretical-ideological levels of social consciousness. The question of what proportion of each of them depends on historical conditions and the degree of development of the masses as subjects of social creativity. Mass consciousness also expresses a collective assessment of people’s actions, their morals, thoughts, feelings, customs, habits, which are manifested in the recognition of some and the condemnation of others.

Ordinary consciousness also has the following forms: everyday-empirical consciousness(adds up in the process of cognition) and social psychology(formed in the course of an evaluative reflection of reality).

Social psychology- this is a set of feelings, moods, emotions, as well as illusions, superstitions, traditions that are formed spontaneously under the influence of the immediate conditions of people’s social life on the basis of life experience and personal observations.

It is no coincidence that social psychology acts as a spiritual stimulus for the practical activities of people. It is also formed taking into account the specific features of their spiritual development, national traditions, cultural level.

Theoretical consciousness includes science and ideology. At the theoretical level, knowledge is presented in the form of a clear, hierarchical system of principles, laws, categories, and programs for the practical transformation of reality. Science reflects the world in a logical form, revealing the essential side of things, processes, and phenomena.

A special place at the theoretical level of public consciousness is given to ideology. The term “ideology” has many meanings. Firstly, there is a distinction between the broad and narrow meaning of this concept. In a broad sense Ideology is understood as a theoretical justification for goals and objectives of a long-term (strategic) nature. This can refer to any type of human activity that involves goals, objectives and end results.

Under ideology in the narrow sense understand the theoretical and systematized consciousness expressing the interests of a particular class or large social group. “If the physical world is subject to the laws of motion, then the spiritual world is no less subject to the law of interest.” Since interest is always pragmatically oriented, ideology has a large share of goal-setting associated with the development of activity programs. The main thing about ideology is that it selectively relates to reality, refracting it through the prism of relevant interest.

Thus, ideology is a system of views, ideas, theories, principles that reflect social existence through the prism of interests, ideals, goals, social groups, classes, nations, society.

V.S.Barulin considers it the main watershed that allows us to identify the qualitative specifics of ideology, its relationship with science and knowledge in general. If for scientific knowledge the main thing is the reflection of objective laws, objective truth with a certain abstraction from the interests of people, then for ideology, on the contrary, it is precisely this interest, its expression, and implementation that is the main thing. In other words, science is aimed at obtaining objective, meaningful knowledge, and the better it does this, the more valuable the science is. Ideology is focused on a deeper reflection and expression of the subjective interest of a certain social community. And this is its main value. However, it would be wrong to absolutize this difference and thereby deprive ideology of a cognitive moment, and cognition of an ideological one.

Comparing the two named levels of social consciousness, it is necessary to trace the relationship between ideology and social psychology. They are connected, respectively, reflecting the rational and sensory (emotional) levels of social consciousness. Ideology is precisely designed to clarify what is vaguely grasped by psychology, to penetrate deeply into the essence of phenomena. In addition, if social psychology is formed spontaneously, directly under the “pressure” of life circumstances in which a certain social community finds itself, then ideology acts as a product of the theoretical activity of “specially authorized” persons who serve this community - professional theorists, ideologists.

If recently the role of ideology in our society was hypertrophied, now it is clearly underestimated. In this regard, it is important to emphasize that it is equally harmful for society to replace all other forms of social consciousness with ideology, or to abandon ideology altogether. In the case when ideology as the highest level of social consciousness ceases to function normally, its place is taken by lower layers of consciousness: social psychology, everyday-empirical knowledge, myths, collective and mass consciousness, which by their nature are amorphous, superficial, unsystematic. All this leads to anomie (lawlessness) of society, its fragmentation. Thus, the rejection of ideology hinders the normal development of society and the consolidation of people’s efforts to solve historically pressing problems.

It is necessary to pay attention to characteristics public and individual consciousness and the problem of their relationship. It is known that social consciousness is a product of human activity and does not exist outside and independently of individual consciousness. Individual consciousness of a person is his inner spiritual world, which is constantly enriched and changing. The consciousness of an individual is of a social nature, since its development, content and functioning are determined by the social conditions in which he lives. At the same time, the consciousness of an individual person is not identified either with the consciousness of society as a whole, or even with the consciousness of the social group to which he belongs.

Individual consciousness– this is a single consciousness, in which in each individual carrier (subject) the characteristics common to the consciousness of a given era are refracted in a unique way; features that indicate a person’s membership in a particular social group; and individual traits determined by upbringing, abilities and circumstances of personal life.

Thus, we can conclude that individual consciousness is a kind of alloy of the general, the particular and the individual in the consciousness of the individual. And yet, social consciousness is fundamentally different in quality from a simple aggregate, the sum of individual consciousnesses. This relatively independent spiritual education includes levels of everyday and theoretical exploration of the world, social psychology and ideology, as well as forms of political, legal, moral, religious, scientific, aesthetic and philosophical consciousness.

3. Basic forms of social consciousness. In modern philosophical literature, a large number of forms of social consciousness are distinguished. criterion To highlight them use: subject of reflection, social needs, which caused the appearance of these forms, ways of reflection being in the world, role in the life of society, nature of assessment social existence.

The main forms of social consciousness include:

As can be seen from the table, the first four forms of social consciousness are aimed at forming a picture of the world, while the last four are aimed at regulating social relations. Religious consciousness is dual in its functions and belongs to both subgroups.

Let us dwell on the characteristics of the above forms in more detail.

1. Scientific consciousness. Among the forms of social consciousness, science has a special status. If in religion, morality, politics and other forms of social consciousness, rational knowledge of reality is an accompanying goal, then in science the criterion of rational awareness of the world occupies a central place. This means that the priority value in science is Truth.

Unified Science as a form of social consciousness and activity includes a number of specific sciences, which in turn are divided into many scientific disciplines. Modern sciences can be classified on various grounds. Firstly, according to the subject and method of cognition, they are distinguished natural, public, Humanities(human sciences), mental sciences And knowledge; occupy a special place here technical Sciences. Secondly, according to the “remoteness” from practice, science can be divided into fundamental who learn the basic laws of reality without directly focusing on practice, and applied, materializing fundamental knowledge into subject forms, into technologies and equipment that meet the interests and needs of people.

The sciences of nature (physics, biology, chemistry, etc.) are taken as a scientific criterion, since they were the first to form independent scientific disciplines, breaking out from the once general syncretic knowledge. The social and humanities disciplines acquired the status of science much later, supplemented, in addition to the criteria used in the natural sciences, by new ones corresponding to their specificity.

Social Sciences unlike the natural sciences, they are ideological in their object. They are in a certain sense bipolar: on the one hand, their task is to reveal the essence of social phenomena (i.e. they must follow the principle of objectivity as a fundamental principle of science); and on the other hand, their representatives cannot study these phenomena outside and independently of social, class and group predilections, i.e. from ideological assessments of these phenomena. In any case, this bipolarity brings the social sciences (at least partially) into the realm of extrascientific knowledge.

Attention should also be paid to the specifics of humanitarian knowledge. Humanitarian sciences– these are the sciences about man, his spiritual inner world and human relationships. The spirit is immaterial, immaterial; in reality it reveals itself in a symbolic, textual expression. Humanitarian knowledge is inseparable from hermeneutics as the art of interpreting a text, the art of comprehending someone else's individuality. From here - dialogical as a characteristic feature of humanitarian knowledge.

Understanding the specifics of scientific-rational consciousness is associated with understanding other, in particular, complex sciences. These include: medical, agricultural, and technical sciences, in which special interdisciplinary knowledge is formed.

The situation has changed in the last decade technical knowledge in the general system of sciences. Previously, this knowledge was considered exclusively applied, since it is the sphere of application of the laws of physics, chemistry and other natural sciences to the solution of specific problems arising in practical life. From the middle of the twentieth century. as a result of the increasing tendency towards the integration of sciences and the coordination of their methods, technology has become widespread combination-synthesis method. By creatively applying this method in close connection with the methods of modeling, thought experiments, etc., technical specialists have made significant progress in understanding the numerous laws and properties of nature and have identified connections that initially do not exist in nature. In nature untouched by man, there are neither the laws of powder metallurgy, nor the law of amplification of electromagnetic oscillations in laser devices, and many others. But both natural and engineer-technical laws, which are applied in a certain combination guided by human creative thought, make it possible to obtain fundamentally new knowledge and a new material design. Based on the use of the combination-synthesis method, new theories began to develop: the theory of automatic control, the theory of ideal engineering devices, the theory of technology, theoretical radar and many others. All this indicates that the technical sciences have reached a higher theoretical level of development, and the core of fundamental knowledge is being formed in them.

The difference between the activities of a natural scientist and the activities of a specialist in the field of engineering was successfully noted E. Creek: a scientist studies what exists, and an engineer creates something that has never existed before. Technical sciences - both fundamental and applied - are aimed at creating something that does not exist in nature.

The complexity of technical sciences is also manifested in the fact that they now increasingly reveal humanitarian, psychological, economic, environmental, social, philosophical (especially moral) aspects. The latter acquires a special poignancy. Technology not only brings benefits to people, but also poses many threats, dangers, and uncertainties. We are talking about the disastrous consequences of the use of technology for humans, society, and nature. This is the danger of turning a person into an appendage of a machine, the impoverishment of his thinking, the “technization” of the soul, the subordination of human interests and aspirations to profit, the predominance of the material over the spiritual, the catastrophic death of nature.

2. Philosophical consciousness. The question of the specifics of philosophy as a form of social consciousness is inextricably linked with the more general question of the specifics of philosophy itself as a special area of ​​spiritual activity aimed at posing and solving ideological problems.

As noted in the first topic, every philosophy is a worldview, i.e. a system of the most general views on the world as a whole and on a person’s relationship to this world, allowing him to find his place, find the meaning and purpose of life. However, the concept of “worldview” is broader than the concept of “philosophy”. It includes other types of worldview, primarily mythological and religious.

The specificity of the philosophical worldview is the conceptual reflection of reality; this is the deepest level of comprehension of the world, carried out on the basis of rational thinking. Worldview at this level is already called worldview. Philosophy is always framed in the form of a theory that unites into a single whole a system of relevant categories, patterns, methods and principles of knowledge, which apply simultaneously to nature, society, man and thinking itself. In the latter case, philosophy appears as thinking about thinking. This specificity of philosophy was successfully noted V.I.Vernadsky: “Philosophy is always based on reason; reflection and in-depth penetration into the apparatus of reflection - the mind - inevitably enters into philosophical work. For philosophy, reason is the supreme judge; the laws of reason determine her judgments.” The modern Russian philosopher defines philosophy in consonance with this V.V.Sokolov. His interpretation is as follows: philosophy is the most systematized, most rationalized worldview of its era.

Philosophical wisdom manifests itself in a continuous, never-ending process of searching for truth. Let us emphasize that not mastering the truth, not raising any truths into dogma, but searching for it is the main goal of philosophy. And in this respect, philosophy is the opposite of science. If science seeks to purify knowledge from subjectivity, then philosophy, on the contrary, places man at the center of its quest.

In modern conditions, when the flow of scientific information is growing rapidly, the ancient philosophical maxim – “much knowledge does not teach intelligence” – acquires special significance. Commenting on this interpretation of wisdom, I. Kant wrote: “Mere knowledge is Cyclopean learning, which lacks the eye of philosophy.” Cyclopean scholarship is one-sided scholarship, limited to the subject, distorting the picture of the world. The essence of wisdom is correctly noted here. A wise person understands, and not only knows, he is able to embrace life as a whole with his thought, not limiting himself to stating its empirical manifestations, establishing only what “really is.” The purpose of philosophy is to teach a person to think and philosophize. Unlike science, for philosophy it is more important to pose a problem or draw the attention of public consciousness and culture as a whole to it.

3. Aesthetic consciousness. The term “aesthetics” (from the Greek ’αίσJησις - sensing, feeling, sensual) was first introduced Alexander G. Baumgarten. Since the Age of Enlightenment, aesthetics has become an independent field of knowledge, acquiring its own subject of study - human sensuality, the ability of an individual to figuratively, holistically comprehend the world, to see the universal in the unique. However, already in Ancient Greece, thinkers concretized a number of aesthetic concepts: beautiful, ugly, comic, tragic, sublime, base, artistic, aesthetic, etc. It should be borne in mind that, along with these fundamental categories, antiquity also formulated more “technical” aesthetic concepts that have not lost their meaning in our time. This refers to the concepts of mimesis (imitation) and catharsis (purification). In concept mimesis a special form of imitation of the world is recorded, which is characteristic of crafts and art, creating a second - along with natural nature - reality. Concept catharsis contains an idea of ​​the cleansing psychological power of art, which, through emotional shock, encourages a person to empathy and aesthetic pleasure.

Aesthetic consciousness is a set of feelings, tastes, values, views and ideals containing ideas about the beautiful and the ugly, the tragic and the comic, the sublime and the base. Aesthetic consciousness is divided into objective-aesthetic and subjective-aesthetic. Objective-aesthetic associated with the harmony of properties, symmetry, rhythm, expediency, orderliness, optimal functioning of the systems themselves. Subjective-aesthetic appears in the form of aesthetic feelings, tastes, ideals, judgments, views, theories. A person, when faced with manifestations of the aesthetic in both the objective and subjective world, experiences them acutely. The beautiful evokes feelings of satisfaction, joy, pleasure, awe, delight, having a cleansing effect on a person.

An integral part of aesthetic consciousness are aesthetic feelings. Aesthetic sense- this is an emotional experience of pleasure, pleasure or, on the contrary, displeasure, rejection - depending on how much the object of perception corresponds to the tastes and ideals of the subject. A positive aesthetic feeling is an enlightened feeling of enjoying the beauty of the world and its individual phenomena. Aesthetic feelings belong to the highest forms of mental experiences. They vary in the degree of generalization and the strength of impact: from moderate pleasure to aesthetic delight. A developed aesthetic sense not only makes a person individually unique, but also harmonizes his spiritual qualities. Such a person is not indifferent to nature, knows how to see and create beauty in work, in relationships between people.

Aesthetic taste is a kind of sense of proportion, the ability to find the necessary sufficiency in a personal attitude towards the world of culture and values. The presence of aesthetic taste is manifested in the correspondence of internal and external, harmony of spirit and social behavior, social realization of the individual.

Aesthetic ideals- one of the forms of aesthetic reflection of reality, containing a “visual due”. The aesthetic ideal is closely related to social and moral ideals, being a prototype for the creation of aesthetic values ​​and a standard of aesthetic assessments.

Aesthetic consciousness can reveal itself in any manifestation of human activity - in scientific thinking, production activities, and the everyday sphere. The aesthetic attitude to reality becomes the subject of special reproduction. This special type of human activity, in which the aesthetic, embodied in the artistic, is the content, the method, and the goal, is art.

Art- this is the professional field of activity of artists, poets, musicians, in which aesthetic consciousness from an accompanying element turns into the main goal. Unlike other types of cognitive attitude towards the world, art is no longer addressed to the mind, but to the feelings. Art can reproduce both essential and, at times, hidden aspects of reality, but it reflects them in a sensually visual form, which allows it to have an unusually strong impact on a person. Art (as a way of realizing aesthetic consciousness) differs from other forms of cognitive activity in the non-utilitarian nature of its reflection of reality. Art is aimed not so much at transforming reality, but at improving the person himself, making his feelings, behavior and actions more humane and highly moral. The fundamental function of art is to “humanize man” through introducing him to the world of the sublime and beautiful.

Summing up the analysis of aesthetic consciousness, it should be noted that it is the object of study of such a branch of philosophical knowledge as aesthetics. In addition, the term “aesthetics” is used in modern scientific literature both in everyday life and in another sense - to denote the aesthetic component of culture. In this case, they talk about the aesthetics of behavior, this or that activity of a church rite, military ritual, some object, etc. Aesthetics is also divided into theoretical and applied (musical aesthetics, technical aesthetics).

4. Religious consciousness. Understanding the specifics of religious consciousness is necessarily connected with the question of the origin and essence of religion itself. Based on the idea of ​​doubling the world, religion considers the earthly, empirical world not independent, but the creation of an omnipotent God. It is God who is the highest religious value for a believer. He is the creator of all things, the object of faith and highest worship, indisputable and unconditional authority. Religion, having emerged in ancient times and undergoing various changes associated with the evolution of mankind, continues to influence the consciousness and behavior of modern man. The majority of the population of our planet is still involved in religion today.

Religion is usually understood as a special spiritual-practical connection between people, arising on the basis of a common belief in higher values ​​that provide them with the true meaning of life. It is advisable to interpret the term “religion” as the restoration of a lost connection, because, for example, according to the Christian tradition, after the fall of the first man such a connection was lost and is rehabilitated by the Resurrection of Christ, and is finally restored after the Second Coming and the complete renewal of man and the world.

The main way of religious perception of the world is faith. Faith is considered as a worldview position and at the same time a psychological attitude, spiritually oriented towards finding the highest meaning of life, unlimited by earthly biological and social needs. Faith instills in a person absolute confidence in achieving the desired goal (salvation of the soul, resurrection, eternal life, etc.) in the sense that it does not require any arguments other than itself.

The question of the origin and essence of religion does not have a clear solution in modern science. There are anthropological, psychological, sociocultural, social and theological (religious-philosophical) concepts of the origin of religion.

Representative anthropological concept is L.-A. Feuerbach, who defended the position that religion is a reflection of human existence. Psychological concept the essence of religion found itself in the position Z. Freud. He defined religion as a collective obsessional neurosis, a mass illusion based on an unsatisfied repressed unconscious drive. W. James considered religious ideas to be innate, their source is something supernatural. From the perspective sociocultural concept spoke E. Durkheim, who considered religion to be social ideas, ideas and beliefs that are binding on all members of society and connect the individual with society, subordinating it to the latter. Social concept can be illustrated by the example of Marxist philosophy. Its founders believed that religion is a fantastic reflection in the heads of people of those external forces that dominate them in their daily lives, a reflection in which earthly forces take the form of unearthly ones. Religion arises out of human dependence not only on natural but also social forces. Religion is the hope for salvation from the inhumanity of the social world.

Meeting numerous theological concepts let’s limit ourselves to the archpriest’s point of view A.V.Me, who wrote: “It is no coincidence that the word “religion” comes from the Latin verb religare - “to bind.” She is the force that connects the worlds, the bridge between the created spirit and the Divine Spirit. And a person strengthened by this connection turns out to be an active participant in world creation.” A.V.Men argued that in unity with God, a person acquires the fullness of being, the true meaning of life, which lies in serving the highest objective Good and courageous opposition to evil. “Religion,” in his opinion, “is the true basis moral life". So religion is connection a person with the very Source of being, which makes his life full of meaning, inspires him to serve, permeates his entire existence with light, determines his moral character.

Thus, religion is a complex historical and spiritual formation. Its structure consists of three main elements: religious consciousness, religious cult, religious organizations.

Religious consciousness is defined as a believer’s way of relating to the world, connecting with it through a system of views and feelings, the meaning and significance of which is belief in the supernatural. Religious consciousness can be characterized through such inherent features as imagery, symbolism, dialogism, deep intimacy, a complex and contradictory combination of the illusory and the realistic, emotional intensity, as well as a special volitional focus on the subject of faith.

Religious consciousness is represented by two relatively independent levels: religious psychology and religious ideology.

Religious psychology- this is a set of religious ideas, feelings, moods, habits, customs, traditions inherent in believers and formed under the influence of carriers of religious consciousness, the entire environment associated with religion. Religious ideas and feelings act as an incentive for the practical activities of believers. Being in interaction with each other, beliefs and feelings mutually reinforce each other, thereby strengthening the religious worldview of believers.

Religious ideology is a system of religious ideas, the development and dissemination of which is carried out by religious institutions represented by professional theologians and clergy. The religious ideology of modern developed religions includes theology, various philosophical teachings, social theories, etc. The central part of religious ideology is theology(from the Greek Jεός - God, λόγος - teaching), or theology. This is a system of theological disciplines that expound and justify individual provisions of the doctrine on the basis of sacred books containing “divinely revealed truths.” Religious philosophy strives, firstly, to substantiate the truth and special significance of the religious path of life, and secondly, to harmonize the relationship between faith and reason, religion and science. Early religious philosophy made a significant contribution to the formation of religious dogma, while modern philosophy performs mainly apologetic functions.

An integral part of any religion is religious cult. This is a whole system of symbolic actions with the help of which believers try to influence imaginary supernatural forces or real-life objects. Cult includes: ceremonies, sacraments, rituals, sacrifices, services, mysteries, fasting, prayers. This is achieved through religious buildings, sacred places and objects involved in religious activities. The role of cult in any religion is great. With the help of cults, religious organizations bring religious ideas to the consciousness of believers in an accessible, sensually concrete form. In the process of religious activities, the religious worldview is strengthened, special connections arise between believers, a feeling of unity is formed, and in some cases, superiority over those of other faiths and non-believers.

Play a significant role in the functioning of religion religious organizations, among which the most significant is church- an autonomous, strictly centralized institution, served by professional priests. The church is characterized by a hierarchical principle of management, division into clergy (i.e., ministers of worship who have received special professional training) and laity. Associations of believers who opposed themselves to the dominant religion are organizations in the form sects. The sect is distinguished by a number of characteristic features: the absence of a rigid division into clergy and laity, conscious entry into the community, and active missionary activity. In the process of development, a sect can turn into a church, or a transitional organization that has features of both a sect and a church ( denomination).

Almost every religion, to a greater or lesser extent, contains socially heteronomous norms of behavior for believers, i.e. contains requirements that are strictly regulated and the implementation of which is supported by a certain form of prohibitions (taboos), sanctions, and regulations (the ten commandments of Moses, the commandments of love, the moral Sermon on the Mount of Christ).

5. Moral consciousness (morality). Concept morality means the quintessence of the mental and practical experience of people, namely customs, laws, norms, rules of behavior, with the help of which the highest values ​​of being and ought are expressed. Only through them does a person manifest himself as a rational, self-conscious and free being.

Morality as a system of norms, principles, and values ​​expresses and consolidates the rules of behavior that are developed spontaneously by people in work and social relations. Morality is the generalized result of centuries of mass everyday practice. The origins of morality are in morals and customs that consolidated those actions that, according to the experience of generations, turned out to be most useful for the preservation and development of society and man and that were in the interests of historical progress ( A.G.Spirkin). Morality is the rules and patterns of behavior that are entrenched in the historical memory of mankind and are aimed at coordinating the interests of individuals with each other and with the interests of society as a whole.

Morality as a special form of social consciousness includes moral standards, including, behavioral norms - instructions(take care of parents, do not use foul language, do not lie, etc.), moral principles(justice / injustice, humanism / anti-humanism, individualism / collectivism, etc.), values(good, good / evil), moral ideal(integral idea of ​​moral standards), as well as moral and psychological self-control mechanisms personality (duty, conscience, responsibility). Therefore, the main evaluation categories become the subject ethics as a science that studies moral attitudes and moral consciousness.

Taking into account the named structural elements of morality, it is necessary to point out the specific features of morality: comprehensive nature, non-institutionalism, imperativeness.

Comprehensive nature morality means that moral requirements and assessments permeate all spheres of human life and activity (everyday life, work, science, politics, art, family and personal relationships, etc.). Each sphere of social consciousness, each specific historical stage in the development of society and each everyday situation has its own “moral profile” and is tested for “humanity”.

Extra-institutional morality means that, unlike science, art, religion and other forms of social consciousness, morality does not have specialized institutions that ensure its functioning and development. Unlike law, morality is based not on state, external coercion, but on self-esteem and public opinion, established customs and traditions, and the system of moral values ​​accepted in a given society.

Imperativeness of morality means that morality takes the form of an imperative, a direct and unconditional command, an obligation (for example, the “golden rule of morality”, the categorical imperative I. Kant). However, experience shows that strict adherence to moral rules does not always lead to success in life for an individual. However, morality insists on strict adherence to its requirements. And there is an explanation for this. After all, only in the aggregate, at the level of society as a whole, do the rules of morality work.

By universal norms we mean elementary norms of morality and justice, the social purpose of which is to protect people from everything that threatens their life, health, safety, dignity, and well-being. Universal moral standards condemn murder, theft, violence, deception, and slander as the greatest evils. Elementary moral norms also include parents’ concern for raising their children, children’s care for their parents, respect for elders, and politeness.

The theoretical basis of morality is ethics as a science that studies, as noted, the phenomenon of morality and the associated moral consciousness of the individual and society. In the history of ethics, various ideas about the foundation of morality (moral actions and moral relations) have developed: ethics of good, ethics of law, ethics of love, ethics of duty, ethics of creativity, ethics of benefit, etc.

On the basis of general ethics, applied ethics are formed, including professional ones, which are “a set of moral norms that determine a person’s attitude towards his professional duty, and through it - towards the people with whom he is connected due to the nature of his profession, and, ultimately , to society as a whole." We will return to the issue of the specifics of technical ethics in the last topic of this manual.

The main functions of morality are regulatory, restrictive, axiological, cognitive.

Regulatory The function is that morality acts as a universal and unique way of regulating the behavior of people in society and self-regulation of the behavior of an individual. The uniqueness of this method lies in the fact that morality does not need reinforcement from various organizations, institutions, punitive bodies, but appeals to the moral sense, reason and conscience of a person.

Restrictive The (prohibitive) function of morality expresses specific restrictions, the effectiveness of which is ensured not by external control over human actions by social institutions, but by the internal will of the subject of the activity.

Axiological the function is to develop a system of moral values. Man's moral assimilation of reality is carried out on the basis of the criterion of good and evil. With the help of these fundamental categories, any phenomenon of social life and individual actions are assessed.

Cognitive the function of morality is closely related to the axiological one and lies in the desire of people to find the most humane, worthy and promising ways of development and improvement of both the entire society and each person. Moral approval or indignation is an indicator that the current form of life is outdated or, on the contrary, promising for development. The state of morals in each specific era is a self-diagnosis of society, i.e. his self-knowledge, expressed in the language of assessments and ideals.

Morality also performs educational, guiding, prognostic and communicative functions. Taken together, they provide insight into the social role of morality.

6. Political consciousness. A clearly expressed form of social consciousness of the regulatory subgroup is political consciousness, which is understood as “a set of ideas, theories, views that express the attitude of a social community to the political system, the state system, the organization of the economy of society, government, as well as to other social communities, to parties.”

The philosophical approach involves distinguishing two levels in political consciousness - everyday and theoretical. Ordinary consciousness is formed spontaneously on the basis of everyday experience with the direct influence of the media and political technologies. It is a set of ideas of an individual about current political events, about the role of the institution of the state in public life, about the activities of political parties, public organizations, interest groups, the media, etc., formed on the basis of the ideological stereotypes, dominant political myths and mythologems that he has acquired, emotional-sensual, irrational refraction of the political process, common sense.

However, the leading role in political consciousness is played by ideological guidelines and principles related to the theoretical level of reflection of political realities. Theoretical level political consciousness, which constitutes the content of political ideology, appears as a system of scientific views and concepts based on a certain interpretation of the phenomenon of power (the power of class, race, elite, people) and the associated mechanisms for the reproduction of power political relations. Political ideology is developed consciously by political leaders, ideologists, political scientists, and specialists from relevant research institutes. General theoretical and general methodological issues of political life are generalized and developed by political philosophy.

It is generally accepted that any political ideology is subordinated to its leading component, which are interests as rationally realized needs: political (the need for power), economic (the need to establish control over resources), social (the need to increase status, to dominate others people). The question of the relationship between political and economic interests is of the most dramatic nature. History knows several options for its resolution:

– the political superstructure is primary in relation to the economic base, determines and directs the development of economic processes;

– economics is primary in relation to politics, politics is a concentrated expression of certain economic interests;

– an equilibrium ratio of two components, which is the optimal option for their interaction.

It is very important to keep in mind the following circumstance. Due to its specifics (close connection with the economy, focus on solving problems of power), political consciousness strives to subjugate all other forms of social consciousness. In certain real models of government, political ideology seeks to establish total control over other forms of social consciousness, including legal consciousness, morality, aesthetic, philosophical, scientific and even religious consciousness. The mechanisms of such control are various kinds of sanctions, prohibitory acts, verdicts, censorship, and restrictions on civil rights and freedoms. A striking example of the pressure of political ideology on spiritual culture is the principle of the class approach to the assessment of scientific and artistic creativity.

On the other hand, in real practice there is also a liberal model of a minimum state, the role of which is reduced to the arbitration of processes occurring in society.

In modern conditions, the concepts of social and ecological states are being developed in political theory. The first of them is based both on taking into account private interests and on the principle of solidarity, ensuring the coordination of the individual and collective aspects of socio-political life. The second model of the state aims to solve pressing problems of economic and technological development in conditions of scarcity of natural resources and aggravation of global contradictions.

7. Legal awareness. Legal consciousness is a specific reflection of the moral, political and legal practices themselves that have developed throughout the history of mankind. It represents a system of generally binding social norms, rules established in laws, and a system of views of people (and social groups) on the law, their assessment of the existing rules of law in the state as fair or unfair, as well as an assessment of the behavior of citizens as lawful or unlawful.

At the same time, legal consciousness is defined as the totality of the rights and obligations of members of society, beliefs, ideas, theories, concepts about the legality or illegality of actions, about what is legal, proper and obligatory in relations between people of a given society. The core of legal consciousness is the concept justice, which, although historically changeable, is at the same time absolute in nature.

Etymologically, the Russian word “justice” (from Latin justitia, Greek dikais) goes back to the word “truth”. The principle of justice is associated with the regulatory relationship between people regarding distribution and redistribution, including mutual exchange (donation, gifting) of social values. The social values ​​themselves are freedom, favorable opportunities, income and wealth, signs of prestige and respect.

In legal consciousness, as in any other form of social consciousness, it is distinguished psychological (everyday practical) and theoretical (or ideological) levels.

Psychological level constitute legal feelings, emotions, skills, habits, unsystematized knowledge of law by individuals, allowing them to navigate legal norms and regulate their relationships with other people, the state and society as a whole on a legal basis. This is the level of ordinary or “practical” legal consciousness. By fulfilling the legal requirements accepted in society in the process of everyday life, people acquire so-called “practical knowledge” of legal norms, master the skills of legal relations and legal activities. It must be borne in mind that at the level of legal psychology there is also a sensory assessment by the individual not only of legal phenomena in society, but also of his legal status. Legal sense, according to the Russian philosopher and legal historian I.A.Ilyina, manifests itself as an “instinct of rightness” or “intuition of rightness.” He believed that to reveal and describe the content of this vague instinctive feeling, to transfer it from an unconscious feeling to the plane of knowledge means “to lay the foundation for a mature natural consciousness of law.” Thereby I.A.Ilyin pointed to the presence of a close, genetic connection between the psychological and more mature, theoretical level of legal consciousness.

Theoretical level legal consciousness is represented by legal ideology. If the psychological level reflects the state of individual legal consciousness, then legal ideology represents theoretical knowledge that expresses the legal views and interests of large social groups. At the theoretical and methodological level, there is an understanding of the very essence of law, its capabilities and boundaries, an analysis of the experience of legal life, and the activities of legal institutions. This is already the sphere of professional activity of lawyers, legal theorists, and ideologists. They develop a system of legal sciences, scientific and practical recommendations to state, judicial and executive authorities.

A higher theoretical level of studying legal consciousness provides philosophy of law. This direction of philosophy integrates philosophical ideas, achievements of theoretical jurisprudence, as well as practical experience of real legal life and activity. This level of knowledge synthesis contributes to clarification, adjustment and, most importantly, the formation of philosophical legal ideas. Thus, legal philosophy is the theory and methodology of legal knowledge.

Legal consciousness is closely connected with other forms of social consciousness, primarily with political consciousness and morality. It is influenced by historical traditions, the prevailing way of life of people, etc. Law is based on moral standards. Not everything related to morality is enshrined in law: law is the “minimum of morality”, which is legally formalized in the relevant laws. The origins of the moral principle are in a person’s conscience, in his good will. Law is a compulsory requirement for the implementation of a certain minimum of good and order, which does not allow certain manifestations of evil. It should be noted that if a high level of morality and culture of legal consciousness is necessary for an ordinary citizen, then an even higher level of them must be supported by the state and its officials. Law is equally obligatory for both those who rule and those who are ruled. In addition, power is a force authorized by the people to govern others, which implies an educational influence on them.

The problem of the relationship between power and personality is key to understanding the essence of the rule of law. Its decision is related to the implementation ideas of popular sovereignty. This idea embodies the recognition that only the people are the source of the power of the state.

An element of the legal reality in which a person lives, and accordingly an element of legal consciousness that correlates with it, are legal norms. They are the embodiment of behavioral, psychological and mental stereotypes that indicate what a person should (permissive norms) and what should not (prohibitory norms) do.

To summarize the topic, it should be emphasized that all forms of social consciousness do not exist in isolation, they are interconnected with each other, complement each other, being a manifestation of a broader phenomenon spiritual life of society– active creative activity of people to explore and transform the world, consisting in the production and consumption of spiritual values ​​and ideal meanings. It is associated with the satisfaction of spiritual needs, relationships between people, and the diverse forms of their communication. The spiritual life of society includes a set of not only ideal phenomena, but also the subjects of spiritual life themselves, who have certain needs, interests, ideals, as well as social institutions engaged in the production, storage, distribution of spiritual values ​​(clubs, libraries, theaters, museums, educational institutions, religious and public organizations, etc.). That is why the spiritual life of society cannot be reduced only to the functioning of social consciousness.

Social consciousness. Essence. Levels. Forms.

SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS- this is the spiritual life of society in the totality of feelings, moods, views, ideas, theories that reflect social existence and influence it. Reflection in the spiritual activity of people of interests, ideas of various social groups, classes, nations, society as a whole.

Social consciousness is a set of psychological properties inherent in society, considered as an independent integrity, a system that cannot be reduced to the sum of its constituent individuals.

Almost any society, regardless of its size, stability and degree of integration, has one consciousness or another (some of its features can be found in line at a store). Historical reality, reflected in the minds of people, gives rise to public moods, ideologies, social psychology, national characters, etc. Those, in turn, have an effective influence on reality. Social consciousness serves as the basis of cultural activity and influences the individual psychology of each person entering society.

The subject of social consciousness is society, not the individual. An individual is capable of inventing an ideology or giving impetus to a certain phenomenon of social psychology, but it will only become part of the public consciousness when it “takes hold of the masses.”

Its structure: it consists of two parts-poles of “Ideology” - conscious, theoretically processed, reflected. “Social psychology” or “mentality,” which is the sphere of the collective unconscious, is characterized by concealment, depth, and spontaneity. (

At the same time, “social psychology and ideology are in some contradiction with each other, but do not exist without each other” and mutually penetrate each other.

Social consciousness is part of culture in the broad sense of the word.

Preserved in the culture of society, social psychology/mentality reflects the historical path it has traversed. “The mentality of an individual is determined by the principles and structural features of the language and culture that determined its development and formation< ...>Language and culture, in turn, develop during the historical development of a particular people. Thus, historical experience, processed and deposited in language and culture, then influences the formation of the deep features of the psyche of a person mastering the world through language and culture. A way of thinking can therefore be regarded as an internalized experience of linguistic and cultural history.” The famous historian P.N. Milyukov wrote about this: “National character itself is a consequence of historical life.” What has been said in this case about ethnicity can, in our opinion, be extended to other types of societies.

The existence of different parts of social consciousness in culture is different. Ideology requires special development, cultivation, fixation (since it is based on theoretical, scientific thinking) and is therefore concentrated in its entirety in the minds of a few. The existence of social psychology/mentality is largely spontaneous (although there are methods of control and manipulation), it is inherent in all members of society.

The content of the pole of ideology is theories, scientific, religious, philosophical systems and teachings, a conscious worldview. The content of the pole of spontaneous, unconscious social psychology/mentality is mental, behavioral, emotional stereotypes; latent value systems; pictures of the world and perception of oneself in the world; all kinds of automatisms of consciousness; public performances, etc.

The mechanism of preservation and transmission of social psychology/mentality, as well as its assimilation by each new member of society, is similar to the mechanism of life of living natural languages. Through the environment (linguistic or, accordingly, mental) and from older generations to the younger. “Culture and tradition, language, way of life and religiosity form a kind of “matrix” within which mentality is formed. The era in which an individual lives leaves an indelible imprint on his worldview, gives him certain forms of mental reactions and behavior, and these features of spiritual equipment are found in the “collective consciousness.”

Public consciousness is historically changeable. Ideology can change instantly, although it always takes time for it to spread widely. As for mentality, representatives of the Annales School have always noted the slowness of the changes taking place in it. B.F. Porshnev in his “social psychology” distinguishes a more or less stable “mental makeup” (for example, national character) and dynamic “mental shifts”, public moods (for example, fashion).

To comprehend social consciousness, it is necessary to analyze the widest possible cultural context: texts and objects of “material culture”, the system of social connections and relationships, life and the history of everyday life. In feedback: understanding the mentality and ideology of a society will help to correctly assess all the processes occurring in it, adequately perceive the behavior of its members and better understand the cultural phenomena developed by it.

The essence of social consciousness

For many centuries, heated debates have continued around the essence of consciousness and the possibilities of its knowledge. Theologians view consciousness as a tiny spark of the magnificent flame of divine intelligence. Idealists defend the idea of ​​the primacy of consciousness in relation to matter. Taking consciousness out of the objective connections of the real world and considering it as an independent and creative essence of being, objective idealists interpret consciousness as something primordial: it is not only inexplicable by anything that exists outside of it, but from itself is called upon to explain everything that happens in nature, history and behavior of each individual person. Supporters of objective idealism recognize consciousness as the only reliable reality.

If idealism tears out the gap between the mind and the world, then materialism seeks community, unity between the phenomena of consciousness and the objective world, deriving the spiritual from the material. Materialistic philosophy and psychology proceed in solving this problem from two cardinal principles: from the recognition of consciousness as a function of the brain and a reflection of the external world.

Levels of public consciousness

The structure of social consciousness is very complex: first of all, it is divided into levels - everyday-practical and scientific-theoretical. This aspect of considering social consciousness can be called epistemological, since it shows the depth of penetration of the subject of knowledge into objective reality. As is known, everyday practical consciousness is less structured, more superficial than scientific and theoretical consciousness. Social consciousness at the everyday practical level manifests itself as social psychology, at the scientific and theoretical level - as ideology. It should be emphasized that ideology is not the entire scientific-theoretical consciousness, but only that part of it that is of a class nature. But this will be discussed below.

The next aspect of considering social consciousness is based on its bearer or subject. Thus, types of social consciousness are distinguished - individual, group and mass consciousness. The bearer of individual consciousness is an individual, the bearer of group consciousness is a social group, the bearer of mass consciousness is an unorganized group of people united by some idea or goal. For example, fans of some pop singer and regular listeners of the Mayak radio station can be classified as a phenomenon of mass consciousness. Sometimes they say that the bearer of mass consciousness is the crowd, but many sociologists believe that it is more correct to distinguish both the consciousness of the crowd and the consciousness of the masses. In passing, we note that a crowd is people in direct contact with each other, gathered to achieve some goal, but a crowd is distinguished from a mass by direct contact, the presence of a leader and joint activity, for example, at a rally, demonstration, etc.

Forms of social consciousness

Social consciousness is a set of various spiritual phenomena that reflect all spheres of social life and the richness of a person’s individual life, therefore its various forms are distinguished - moral, aesthetic, religious, legal, political, philosophical, scientific, environmental, economic, etc. Of course, such structuring is conditional, since types, forms, levels of social consciousness are in constant interaction and mutual influence.

Analyzing public consciousness, social science pays special attention to ideology. Ideology is a system of ideas and theories, values ​​and norms, ideals and action guidelines. It helps to consolidate or eliminate existing social relations. In its theoretical content, ideology is a set of legal, political, moral, aesthetic and other ideas that ultimately reflect the economic relations of society from the perspective of a certain social class.

Let us dwell in more detail on the spiritual life of society. By it we can understand that sphere of existence in which objective, supra-individual reality was transformed into individual, subjective reality, inherent in every person.

Here is the definition of the category in question that can be given. Consciousness is presented by philosophers as a higher function, characteristic only of the human brain and associated with speech. It lies in a targeted and generalized reflection of reality. Consciousness exists in two forms - individual and social. The latter will be discussed in more detail.

Below we will consider what levels and forms of social consciousness are distinguished by such a science as philosophy. But first I would like to note that it is an integral side of the socio-historical process and, in fact, in general a function of human society. It is generated by being, however, it develops according to its own laws, therefore it can either lag behind being or get ahead of it.

It is customary to distinguish 3 levels of the category under consideration, namely ordinary consciousness, public ideology and public psychology.

Ordinary consciousness appears spontaneously in the process of carrying out everyday activities. It directly reflects the everyday (external) side of the life of society and does not have such a goal as the search for truth.

Ideology is presented as a set of theoretical views that reflect the degree of knowledge society has of this entire world and its various aspects. This level of consciousness is also called rational.

Social psychology is a system of feelings, customs, moods, motivations, traditions that are characteristic of society as a whole and for various social groups. This level of consciousness is also called emotional.

It should be noted that the interaction of these three levels of social consciousness is very complex and ambiguous. However, they are all part of the psyche, which covers conscious, unconscious and subconscious processes.

Well, now let’s look at what, in fact, forms of social consciousness philosophy identifies. As being developed, they arose and became enriched in knowledge, they gradually appeared. This is what we have today.

Forms of social consciousness: moral and legal consciousness

Morality is a system of views, ideas, norms and assessments of the behavior of the entire society, various social groups and individuals.

Law is presented as a system of certain social relations and norms, the observance of which is regulated and controlled by the state and authorities. At the theoretical level, this form is a legal ideology that expresses the interests and views of large social groups.

Forms of public religious and artistic

The basis of religious consciousness is society's belief in the supernatural. This includes various religious teachings with their ideas about the world order, the feelings and actions of believers, in particular rituals, traditions, norms of behavior, and a system of prohibitions.

Artistic consciousness is presented as the spiritual activity of society in the cultural sphere. It excites, touches the heartstrings, delivers or, conversely, dissatisfaction, encourages reflection. This may include works of literature (prose, poetry), architecture, sculpture, painting, etc.

The structure of social consciousness includes two levels:

1) social psychology, i.e. ordinary mass consciousness, formed empirically in the process of everyday everyday practice. This is largely a spontaneous, spontaneous reflection by people of the entire flow of social life without any systematization of social phenomena and discovery of their deep essence.

2) scientific and theoretical consciousness, including ideology as a spiritual expression of the fundamental interests of social classes. At this level, social reality is reflected conceptually, in the form of theories, which is associated with active, active thinking, with operating with concepts.

Theoretical consciousness is the understanding of the phenomena of social life by discovering their essence and the objective laws of their development. Not all people act as subjects of theoretical consciousness, but only scientists, specialists, and theorists in various fields of knowledge. Because of this, it appears as a higher level of O.S., compared to the ordinary one. Everyday consciousness interacts with the theoretical, developing and enriching itself. Forms O.S. represent various ways of spiritual development of social existence; there are six of them in total: political and legal consciousness, morality, religion, art and philosophy. Today, this list often also includes economic, natural and mathematical, engineering, medical, technological, environmental and other consciousness. Such an increase in the number of forms of O.S. is erroneous, it contradicts the criteria for the existence of these forms, namely: their conditioning by social existence, its aspects; the presence of an ideological level in their content; their roles as prerequisites respectively. ideal relationships.

Forms of OS, their specificity differ from each other in the subject of reflection (this is the main criterion for their identification; thus, legal consciousness includes mass and scientific views, ideas, assessments of the current or desired law), in forms, methods of reflection (for example. , science reflects the world in the form of concepts, theories, teachings; art - in the form of artistic images), according to its role in the life of society. In the latter case, we are talking about the fact that each form of O.S. characterized by def. a set of functions performed (cognitive, aesthetic, educational, ideological, regulation of human behavior, preservation of spiritual heritage).

It is in the implementation of these functions that significance in the life of society is manifested. O.S., its forms, with all their dependence on social existence, have relative independence, their own special patterns of development. The latter are manifested, firstly, in the continuity and existence of certain ideological traditions (thus, the development of philosophical, artistic and other ideas depends on previously accumulated mental material). Secondly, in the mutual influence of various forms. All forms of social consciousness are interconnected and interact with each other, because those aspects of the life of society that are directly reflected in them interact with each other. Thus, social consciousness acts as a kind of integrity that reproduces the integrity of social life itself. Thirdly, in the lag of O.S. from social existence (since the spiritual ideas of people are characterized by a significant force of inertia, only the struggle between new and old ideas naturally leads to the victory of those that are caused by the decisive needs of the changed material life, of the new existence). Fourthly, in the social-class, ideological character of the OS, which, however, does not exclude universal human elements. Fifthly, in activity, the reverse influence of O.S. on society, its foundations (an idea becomes a material being when it takes possession of the masses).