Paleeva N.N. Reverses of Cultural Self-Identity

Abstract: Definition of the essence of culture is often taken as a simple task. However, in her article Paleeva demonstrates that in the process of searching for self-identity, culture faces serious contradictions which reflects the complex nature of the phenomenon itself. Thus, even etymology of the word 'culture' hides in itself the following variants of cultural existence. Even more paradoxes are associated with the process of culture genesis. In one case, culture is viewed as the generation of nature and earthly circumstances of human life which was later developed further. In the other case, culture is associated with the word 'cult' which relates this phenonomenon to the transcendental feeling. In her research Paleeva has used the methodology of philosophy of culture. This branch of knowledge has accumulated numerous methods and procedures that allow to analyse oppositions to culture. For the first time in Russian academic literature the author of the article is viewing complexities of cultural self-identity. The author also makes an attempt to analyze contradictions between ethic cultures and universal cultures, local cultures and general cultures. The author compares the two research tendencies that have developed in contemporary science. She also carries out a critical analysis of the other researchers' attempts to view primordialism as plain antiques and to give a negative assessment of that tradition from the point of view of the social progress. Meanwhile, many authors speak highly of constructivism as the newest achievement of philosophy and science. In her article Paleeva also provides a critical analysis of peculiarities of modern constructivism.  

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