РОССИЙСКИЙ МЕНТАЛИТЕТ ИЛИ РОССИЙСКАЯ ПОЛИМЕНТАЛЬНОСТЬ?

Abstract

In the article, the author attempts to reveal the content of the concept of "mentality". He notes the differences between the content of the concepts "mentality" and "social consciousness". At the same time, mentality is considered as a historically formed long-term mindset, unity (fusion) of conscious and unconscious values, norms, and attitudes in their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral embodiment, inherent in a particular social group (community) and its representatives. The author believes that in modern conditions, the question of the peculiarities of the Russian mentality is relevant. At the same time, it is necessary to answer several questions: a) is the Russian mentality something special or is it a kind of existing mentalities; b) is the Russian mentality unified, or is it necessary to talk about Russian polymentality? There are traditionally four points of view when discussing these issues: Western point of view. According to this view Russia is part of Europe Therefore, Westerners say, the Russian mentality is based on traditional European values: human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, equality of all before the law, the rule of law, the independence of the judicial system, etc. The Eastern point of view, which assumes that the dominant values of Russia are traditional Eastern values: traditional way of life, respect for elders, reverence, etc. There is a mixed view that the Russian mentality is a very complex and even bizarre combination of traditionally Western and traditionally Eastern values. A unique point of view, where the main thesis is the idea that Russia does not belong to either European, Western, or Asian, Discusses the content of the mentality of a social community, where the most important basic values are "the value of nature", "the value of a single person", "the value of power", "the value of labor", "the value of time". In the article, the author expounds a thesis about the polymental nature of modern Russian society. The author believes that in modern conditions it is necessary to distinguish three types of Russian mentality: 1) traditional pre-capitalist; 2) socialist; 3) market.