The levels of social consciousness are. Levels and forms of social consciousness

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

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. Special significance has an 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 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 legal views and the 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 activities.

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 about the essence and meaning of these concepts from the moment of their emergence, there are different interpretations and opinions. 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 social development and the most general principles research of social phenomena, their knowledge, and most importantly - application, will be the methodological basis that others use social science, 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 kind of philosophical movement, which signified 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 associates began to call “ideologists” or “doctrinaires” persons whose views were divorced from the practical problems of public life and real life. politics. It was during this period that ideology began to move from 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, this 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 governed by an ideology, a belief system chosen people, 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, which supposedly stands outside of classes and is capable of impartial knowledge of society, although only to a limited extent. level of possibility. What is common to Pareto and Mannheim is the opposition of ideology to positive sciences. For Pareto, it is the opposition of ideology to science, and for Mannheim, it is the opposition of 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 are comprehended and assessed, social problems and conflicts, and also defines the goals and objectives of social activity, 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 a 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 everyday life people, but is created by social scientists, political 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 indicates 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, this or that 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 social life And social transformation. During critical historical periods in the life of society, this influence can be decisive in historically short periods of time.

Policy- a historically transitory phenomenon. It begins to form only on at a certain stage 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 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 the analysis social history and the political structure of a number of Greek states-policies. 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 natural state 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, as this is fraught with social instability; immense growth political power in the hands of one person and keeping 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 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; carrying out such foreign policy, which 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 economic development, then they restrain him; 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 to understand the socio-political processes taking place in society, it is important to know not only the role social philosophy, ideologies, policies separately, but also their interaction and mutual influence.

Social consciousness and its structure: levels and forms.

Social consciousness is a set of ideal forms (concepts, judgments, views, feelings, ideas, concepts, theories) that embrace and reproduce social existence; they were developed by humanity in the process of exploring nature and social history. The leading role of social consciousness is associated with the scientific and theoretical level of reflection of reality, the subject’s deep awareness of his responsibility for the progress of society.

Social consciousness can exist only when there are specific carriers - people, social groups, communities, specific individuals and other subjects. Social consciousness is an extremely complex phenomenon; it has a dynamic, complex structure, which is predetermined by the structure of social existence. One of the elements of the structure of social consciousness is its different levels - everyday and theoretical consciousness, social psychology and ideology.

Ordinary consciousness as a set of specific living conditions of people develops on the basis of their everyday experience. It covers the object of reflection, as a rule, from the unconcealed, obvious side. The everyday level of social consciousness includes empirical knowledge about objective processes, views, moods, traditions, feelings, will. Theoretical level social consciousness goes beyond the empirical conditions of people's existence and appears in the form of a certain system of views, strives to penetrate into the very essence of the phenomena of objective reality, to reveal the patterns of their development and functioning.

It is aimed at identifying the most significant features of these processes. Social psychology is a set of views, feelings, emotions, moods, habits, traditions, customs that arise in people under the influence of the immediate conditions of their life through the prism of their everyday interests. It is an important condition for the formation of human spiritual culture, and ideology turns into driving force, only penetrating the sphere of psychology. The dialectic of the development of social consciousness lies in the contradictory transition of social psychology into ideology. Ideology is a set of ideas and views that, in a systematic, logically coherent form, reflects the socio-economic conditions of people's lives. Ideology acts as the highest scientific and theoretical level of spiritual values. Forms of social consciousness are political, legal, moral, aesthetic, religious consciousness.

Political consciousness is a reflection of political relations, political activity what is happening in society. It is a set of ideas, views, doctrines, political guidelines, certain political methods with the help of which the political interests of the subjects of political processes are justified and implemented. Political consciousness includes ideological and psychological aspects. Legal consciousness is a body of knowledge, ideas legal rights and norms governing the behavior of people in society. Legal consciousness is closely interconnected with legal norms and laws in accordance with the prevailing ideas about legality in society. order, justice. Morality is a set, a system of norms and rules of behavior for people in society. Unlike legal norms, moral norms are not enshrined in legal laws, but are regulated in society by force public opinion. Aesthetic consciousness - reflects objective reality through certain artistic images.

Aesthetic consciousness reflects knowledge in a specific visual and sensory form, artistic images that influence our senses and thereby cause a certain emotional reaction and evaluation. Religion as a form of social consciousness embraces religious ideology and religious psychology. Religious ideology is a more or less coherent system of religious ideas and views on the world. Religious psychology includes unsystematized religious feelings, moods, customs, and ideas associated mainly with belief in the supernatural. Social consciousness performs three main functions:

1) reflection of social life,

2) activity management,

3) creation of programs capable of managing activities based on a correct reflection of existence. Thus, social consciousness appears, firstly, as a consequence of the natural-historical process of development of the method of production, secondly, as a program that controls human activity, and thirdly, as the basis of spiritual production.