Philosophy / 2. Social Philosophy

Dr. Sc., Professor Karabayeva A.G.
Dr. Sc., Professor Ismagambetova Z.N.
al-Faraby Kazakh National University, Republic of Kazakhstan

The comparative philosophy in the social and cultural context

        Actual problems of the modern socio-cultural sphere and the methodology of social and cultural researches are related to the development and assimilation of the variety of properties and aspects of social and cultural reality by modern man in conditions of globalization, multiculturalism and relativity. The method of comparison is important in cognitive assessments, in the dialogue of cultures and communication of philosophical systems.

        The main characteristics of comparative studies are presented in methodological, sociocultural, anthropological and other perspectives. Specificity of the method of comparison lies in interdisciplinary genesis. The comparative explanation, description and content have a special status among other means and methods of scientific and philosophical analysis and research.

        The assimilation of the method of comparison in modern social and humanitarian knowledge reflects the significant changes in the philosophical cultural researches in the post-non-classical period. The development of comparative philosophy is connected both with a holistic understanding of the historical and philosophical process and with a renewed understanding of the social and cultural reality as well as sociocultural processes and relationships. The comparative method is considered as the correlation and connection of different approaches, methods, methodologies and principles of analysis.

       The process of comparison becomes more complicated due to the concretization of research tasks and the way to consider or solve specific problems and issues. The problem of comparison of cultures and finding ways to forming of adequately organizing approach and reflection the characteristics and patterns of the "alien" culture as the vivid example of the diversity of approaches and procedures of comparison.
         The method of comparison exists in a variety of systems of research and evaluation: the problem of comparison of culture and philosophy of East and West; in the context of the methodology of social cognition and methodology of cultural research; in the understanding and interpretation of the value and spiritual aspects of the development of man and society; in the situation of describing the diversity of ways of comparison of different types of culture and sociality as well as the diversity of philosophical systems; in the conceptualization of ideas and images of the future [
1, p. 4].

        The importance of the comparative approach is reflected both in the problem of the dialogue of cultures, the identification of philosophical cultures and in questions and problems of their possible synthesis and interpenetration. Ideas, concepts, goals, principles of comparative philosophy are implicated in the context of the evolution, formation and perspective of the development of the most actual problems of modern philosophy. The own tasks of comparative philosophy are connected with the awareness trends and ways of the development of cultural and mental experience in different cultures and philosophical regions.

        Philosophy continues to pay close attention to the mental sphere of human life including in view of the diverse of comparative experience. Comparative studies and intentions concern the diversity of mental experience, the psychological essence of a person, moral activity, the diversity of forms of sociocultural existence and interaction with the surrounding world. Comparative studies show the relevance of establishing of dialogue with other cultures and value systems. Comparative studies revealed the significance of the experience of self-awareness and spiritual perfection.

        Comparative philosophy almost always drew attention to the comparison of socio-cultural values ​​and philosophical foundations of East and West. Comparative studies reveal social, cognitive, axiological, methodological, anthropological and other approaches, levels and principles of analysis. The comparative approach has a special meaning in terms of transition to the global stage of development, intensification of the differentiation of cognition and cognitive practices, and the growth of "fragmentary" characteristics of cognition and cognitive practice in various fields of culture. The method of comparison becomes relevant as a comprehensive view of the general trends in the development of culture and the problems of modern civilization in philosophical reflection.

        Contemporary comparative philosophy reflects the process of large-scale social transformations in society, the low social effectiveness of cultural changes, crisis of traditional mechanisms of spiritual self-regulation, the value degradation of social mechanisms, exacerbation of environmental and technological problems. Comparative studies respond to the problems of adaptation to external social and cultural diversity, to the emergence of a gap between the practice of permanent social change and the internal willingness of society and certain cultural communities to perceive active social transformations.

        The society faces certain socio-psychological difficulties and socio-cultural dilemmas of development and the choice of orientations for internal transformation and changes. Researchers urge to master and justify the attractiveness of the eastern experience of wisdom and eastern metaphysics with a wide culture of philosophical, methodological, anthropological, metaphysical, psychological, cognitive and scientific points of view. "Interest in the East has recently been strengthened in the context of the search for an alternative to the Western path of development" [2, p. 206]. Comparative studies acquire broadened interpretation in the contemporary humanitarian field of cognition.

       The comparative theory reflects a broad field of interdisciplinary research, postmodern discourse of important philosophical studies. In modern comparative studies, new comprehensive research strategies, methodological approaches are being developed. Comparative researches connect the diverse and relevant experience of philosophical research and analysis. Comparative studies offer analysis and perception of reality through diverse images, approaches and methods.

       Comparative studies reflect the complexities and contradictions of social and cultural existence that lead theoretical thought to the methodology of understanding and communication. Comparative analysis reveals the most important direction of modern social and cultural thought and a universal approach in exploring the pluralistic world of culture at all levels of generalization and evaluation.
       The problem of comparison and identity has acquired special importance for the philosophical development and polyphonic, diverse spiritual experience of the twentieth century. Comparative studies suggest a rethinking of the foundations of philosophical systems. Comparative philosophy promotes the emergence of renewed values, concept of
"universe" of culture, changing perceptions of community and generalization, and the diversity of philosophical content. Comparative studies influence the formation of the global experience of mankind. The modern cultural situation forms a special meaning and content of comparative philosophy.

 

References

1.     Karabaeva A.G. Aktual"nye problemy social"no-filospfskojj komparativistiki. –Almaty: Kazak universiteti, 2015   

2.     Burkhanove K.N., Bulekbaev S.B. Kazakhstanskijj put" razvitija v dilemme: Vostok ili Zapad? – Astana: Elorda, 2010