Lisina, E. A. Theory of the Ritual: Modern Conceptions

Abstract: The purpose of his article is to cast light on the most significant conceptions of the ritual in modern foreign science. The author of the article views Stael’s conception about ‘meaningless’ of the ritual, epistemology of the ritual in Bell’s works, ethological theory of the ritual suggested by Rappaport, Grimes’ conception about the social role of the ritual. The study is based on original monographs of the above mentioned scientists. Summarizing the experience of ritual researches, the author of the article makes the following conclusion. Works by famous modern theorists in the sphere of rituals have something in common — all of these scientists understand that rituality, being taken as the element of everyday reality, is one of the most powerful mechanisms of coping with the shock and catastrophes of both social, political and economic origins. The conclusions and data provided in the article can be used as the basis for further researches of the theory of ritual and history of modern social and philosophical thought.

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