Cultural trauma in Piotr Sztompka’s conception of social changes

Abstract

Purpose of Research. The purpose of the research is to analyse the concept of cultural trauma in the context of P. Sztompka’s conception of social changes. Methodology. The methodology of the research is based on an interdisciplinary approach that allows us to use the knowledge from the history of sociology, sociology of culture, cultural studies, history and political studies, etc. To achieve the goal of the research, the author has used the following methods: a systemic one (to highlight the main levels of trauma and forms of its manifestation); a method of analysis (to reveal the main symptoms of cultural trauma in P. Sztompka’s conception); a dialectical method (to show different approaches to understanding behavioural strategies in cultural trauma). Scientific Novelty. The scientific novelty of the research is the complex analysis of the concept of cultural trauma in the context of P. Sztompka’s conception of social changes. Conclusions. In modern conditions, Ukrainian society is experiencing deep socio-political processes that determine the future culture and axiological narratives of the community. The problem of cultural trauma with its main symptoms including identity crisis, social tension, mistrust, legitimacy, anomie and ways to solve it on the example of Polish society remains in focus that is why. Sztompka’s conception of social changes allows us to analyse the present to project the future.

Key words: culture, cultural trauma, identity, anomie, value, progress, social change