Abstract: The mechanisms of media personalization and separation in network communication on the principle of like-mindedness stimulate the formation of "echo chambers" and "filter bubbles". The social network phenomenon indicated by these metaphors is the subject of research, and the concepts themselves are considered as close, but not identical. The purpose of the study is to identify factors affecting the effectiveness of filtering algorithms, the user's ability to make informed choices and self–organization in the process of information consumption. The analysis of the causes and consequences of selective strategies of online information consumption is carried out on the basis of the communicative - activity approach, the theory of virtual reality Zh. Baudrillard, concepts of digital media by K. Sunstein, E. Pariser and R. Fletcher. The results of foreign and domestic studies of communication practices on various social platforms are used as an empirical basis. The research approaches presented in the scientific literature allow us to focus on the technological and logical-semantic perspective of the analysis of stable forms of network communication. According to the authors, the interdependence of filtering algorithms and value dominants of information consumption leaves the user with a chance to independently choose a "consumer basket". The duality in obtaining personalized content is emphasized: on the one hand, it is convenience, saving effort, on the other - the one-dimensionality of the world picture in the information bubble. Based on this, freedom of choice is characterized as the right to active choice and the right not to choose, consciously delegating it to neural network filters. In conclusion, the authors identified internal and external network factors for reducing the effectiveness of filtering algorithms: the interpretation of user behavior by artificial intelligence; the functioning of rational confrontational communication; the opportunistic conceptualization of echo effects; the availability of means of conscious counteraction. Incentives for reasonable information consumption, technological and cognitive ways of protecting and rationalizing user behavior are highlighted.

Keywords: virtuality, online platforms, communication, echo chamber, filter bubble, confirmation bias, filtering algorithms, information consumption, choice, information

Abstract:   The subject of this research is the dynamics of conceptualization of the phenomenon of cultural reproduction, expressed in the concepts of tradition and cultural memory, as well as the related concepts of the invention of tradition, historical memory, and post-truth. The article analyzes the transformation of epistemological approach that took place in the late XX century towards reproduction of culture, reflected in the change of the fundamental conceptual metaphor – from “delivery”(traditio) to “memory”, which means a shift in the dominant approach towards the structure of cultural continuum that appears to be attributed not to the objective reproducible content, rather than its construction by the subject. It is suggested to examine the questions of current interrelation between post-truth and public consciousness. The author creates an instrumental approach towards tradition, which is characterized by pragmatism expressed in the intention towards management of social relations, where tradition is a tool for managing the present through the formation of representations about the past, and constructivism, which implies that tradition is a construct of perception formed in the present, not reflecting the past itself. Being internalized in a broad social context, the instrumental approach is realized within the framework of the state of post-truth, which does not consider the past crucial for the formation of public opinion compared to other personal beliefs, as well as management methods applied to the latter. Problematization of the theme of post-truth demonstrates the internalization of instrumental approach into a broad social context, indicating the cross-effect pf epistemological and general cultural social context with regards to problem of interrelation between the social past and the present.  

Keywords: modernization, post-truth, invention of tradition, posttraditionality, historical memory, cultural memory, cultural reproduction, tradition, constructivism of tradition, pragmatism of tradition

Abstract: The subject of this research is the semantic content and peculiarities of the concept of “gods” in lyrics of the Russian-language musical bands and performers for the past 50 years. The frequent mention of gods in modern songs counters to the dogmas of the traditional monotheistic religions and have state support. The author believes that such contradiction between the normative and government-approved Abrahamic religions and innovations introduced by mass culture deserves due attention. Within the framework of research conducted in November of 2019, the author analyzed the song lyrics that contain reference to gods, based on the platform www.gl5.ru – a popular online resource that features the lyrics of Russian-language songs. Having reviewed all relevant results, the author formed an array of texts, and based on their content analysis revealed a number of patterns that describing usage of the concept of “gods”. The analyzed materials demonstrate that in the Soviet songs, gods were mentioned only in a figurative sense; but presently, they can be depicted as an element of reality, and the Lord of monotheistic religions – just one of the existing gods. It is worth noting that word “gods” transformed into a common interjection, which is reflected in the works of multiple popular young musicians. These processes, which did not really attract the attention of researchers, give a pause for thought – whether the theological doctrines of Abrahamic religions had major impact upon mass consciousness of the Russians is great, or their viability in modern Russia is substantiated by the strong government support.

Keywords: henotheism, monotheism, polytheism, Russian chanson, Russian Rock music, Russian hip hop, Russian pop music, popular culture, music and religion, clericalization

Abstract: The subject of this research is the problem of moral liberation of personality in ideological heritage of Russian Populism. In the social philosophy of Russian populism this problem is an integral part of the theory of holistic liberation of personality (moral, socioeconomic, political). Emphasis is made on the concept of “rational egoism” and principle of oneness of human nature (unity of material and moral) of N. G. Chernyshevsky; significance of subjective method in social sciences in formation of anthropological (“moral”) ideal of P. L. Lavrov; as well as theory of solidary relations as the key concepts of ethicism of social philosophy of Russian Populism. The scientific novelty consists in examination of the problem of moral liberation in the context of theory of holistic liberation of personality, developed by the Russian populists on the basis of socio-philosophical ideas of Enlightenment. The problem of autonomous (sovereign) personality in the social philosophy of Russian populism is viewed in the context of “liberation of personality”, with emphasis on the anthropological ideal of “moral personality”. Advancing the theory of “rational egoism”, N. G. Chernyshevsky came to the conclusion that autonomy of personality is achieved due to social solidarity. P. L. Lavrov, having continued the inner logics of populist thought on the development of solidary relations in the society, basically neglected the autonomy of personality. An attempt to solve the problem of correlation between moral freedom and moral demand, applicable to the ideal personality, led to formation of the fundamentals of solidarism within the philosophy of Russian populism.

Keywords: justice, rational egoism, social philosophy, solidarity, liberation of an individual, sovereign individual, Russian Populism, history of philosophy, anthropological ideal, ethics

Abstract: This article deals with the problems of establishment and evolution of civil society at the present stage. The author gives definitions to the religious organizations and civil society, indicates the role and place of confessions in its structure, as well as underlines the problems in building the effective system of state-confessional relations. The author leans on the message about the need for developing and strengthening the dialogue between the state and religious organizations, which are an integral part of civil society. The article touches upon the question of legal grounds of the state-confessional relations, as well as substantiates the necessity of bringing to the legal field of the various confessions, religious unions and formations. The place and role of the religious organizations as social institutions in the process of establishment of civil society are analyzed. In this context, the author considers its essence alongside peculiarities of interaction between the religious organizations of social institutions in modern conditions. The relevance of the topic at hand is justified by the current changes taking place in the community and social life in the post-Soviet space, establishment and development of civil society, as well as the need for determining the place of religious organizations in its structure.

Keywords: interconfessional interaction, religious conflicts, religious denominations, state-confessional relations, tolerance, revival of religiosity, desecularization, interreligious dialogue, civil society, post-Soviet space

Abstract: In this article, the author underlines that atheism atheism ceases to be perceived as a mandatory feature of social development, as well as examines the process of revival of the interest towards religion in post-atheistic Russian society. The reason of this phenomenon lies in the search for value orientations, self-identification, and answers to life-purpose questions; but mostly – in the necessity of regeneration of moral values, which were missing after the collapse of the Soviet Union and not replenished after the attempt of modernization and Europeanization of Russia. Special attention is given to the game in religiosity as the form of adjustment to variable social conditions. The article highlights the negative trends that turn the traditional religiosity into "pseudo-religiosity" or so-called game in religiosity, among which are the search for the "acceptable" religion possible due to religious pluralism; interest in new religious and quasi-religious movements that combine seemingly unlikable various religions canons; construction of the new space for religious belief; spread of religion into the Internet. The author concludes that the danger of this phenomenon lies in the fact that game in religion devaluates the faith, as well as rituals and traditions undergo modification due to the interests of the "one playing".

Keywords: crisis of self-identification, non-conventional religions, the ideal space, game into religion, game, pseudo-religiosity, traditional religiosity, revival of religiosity, religious consciousness, religious pluralism

Abstract: The article includes analysis of implementation of one of the key directions of the Soviet policy on religious denominations towards the Islam: limiting the number of mosques, the cult buildings of the Muslims in 1940s - 1960s, taking as an example the Middle Volga region, where the Islam was traditionally widespread in the USSR.  The local state policy on religious denominations was implemented first of all via the Soviet plenipotentiaries on the issues of religious cults (religions), whose activities were aimed on one hand at the closing of the mosques, and on the other hand, on guaranteeing compliance with the Soviet legislation.  The believers actively resisted the closing of the cult buildings. Even after the closing the mosques kept their appearance. The theoretical and methodological basis for the study is formed with the principles of objectivity, historicism, systemic character, full account of the social and subjective elements in the object of study, and the neutral approach of researchers towards interpretation and evaluation of factual materials.  Where it was possible, the authors used the principles of sociological and psychological approach and the principle of correctness and tactfulness in evaluation of facts and events, since the specific feature of the Islamic practice has always been a strong moral and ethical element of its participants. In addition to the methodological principles, the authors applied special historical principles, such as actualization, comparative historical method, diachronic method, problem-oriented chronological method; general scientific methods - statistical, classification, structural systemic. The novelty of the study was due to the fact that for the first time the authors studies the activities of the Soviet administration, acting mostly via the Soviet plenipotentiary on the issues of religious cults (religions) on closing the mosques at the regional level - in the Middle Volga region within the above-mentioned period of time, and many specific archive materials are brought into the scientific turnover for the first time, since earlier they were not used for a variety of reasons.

Keywords: plenipotentiary of the Soviet, religious association, mosque, policy on religious denominations, the Islam, religion, the USSR, Mullah, legislation on the cults, the Middle Volga region