The origins of postmodernism as a sociocultural transformation: counterculture of the 1960s – early 1970s

Abstract

This article reviews postmodernism as a transitional stage in the dynamics of modern culture in the countries of Euro-Atlantic civilization. Such transitional stages the author defines as sociocultural transformations. Postmodernism is the finale of the current stage of sociocultural transformation, which according to the author started in the last third XIX century with the avant-garde culture. The article traces the impact of counterculture of the 1960s – early 1970s upon establishment of the postmodern paradigm. It is demonstrated that counterculture manifested as the sociocultural background that promoted the consolidation of postmodernism in culture of the countries of Euro-Atlantic civilization. The logic of studying sociocultural transformations suggests the application of interdisciplinary approach. The key research method is the philosophical interpretation. The main conclusion consists in proving the hypothesis on the background, sociocultural impact of counterculture of the 1960s – early 1970s upon the consolidation of postmodernism as the sociocultural transformation. The author offers an original approach towards periodization of the European (Euro-Atlantic) culture, which distinguishes the corresponding periods in its continuum through the prism of sociocultural transformations. A detailed analysis of the impact of counterculture upon postmodern statement is provided.