ОБЩЕСТВЕННОЕ СОЗНАНИЕ ФОРМЫ

Social Consciousness, Forms of

Different forms of reflection in the minds of people of the objective world and social being in the course of their practical activity. Social consciousness exists and is displayed in the forms of political ideology, legal conceptions, morality, religion, science, art, and philosophy. The diversity of forms of social consciousness is determined by the wealth and diversity of the objective world itself—of nature and society. Different forms of consciousness reflect diverse spheres and aspects of reality (for example, political ideas reflect relations between classes, nations, and states and serve as a basis for political programmes realised in the action of classes and social groups; the sciences study the concrete laws of nature and society, etc.).

Each form of consciousness has its own object of reflection and is also marked by a specific form of reflection (for example, scientific concepts, moral rules, artistic images, religious dogmas). The wealth and complexity of the objective world merely creates the possibility for the various forms of social consciousness to appear. This possibility is realised on the basis of a definite social requirement. Science arises only when the simple accumulation of experience and empirical knowledge becomes insufficient for the development of social production; political and legal views and ideas arise with the appearance of classes and the state to justify and consolidate the relations of domination and subordination, etc.

In each socio-economic formation all forms of consciousness are interconnected and in their entirety constitute the spiritual life of the given society. The specific nature of a social requirement giving rise to one form of social consciousness or another also determines the historically concrete role which they play in the life and development of society. The communist formation, for example, comes into being and develops on the basis of the knowledge and purposeful application of objective laws. That is why under socialism, the lower phase of communism, religion begins to wither away; at the higher phase religious survivals will be fully eliminated. At the same time essential changes will occur in the spiritual life of society as a whole. With the victory of communism the need for political and legal ideology will disappear and they will wither away. On the other hand, such forms of social consciousness as morality, science, art and philosophy will flourish. They will not only serve various social needs, but will also mould the spiritual countenance of each individual, become a requisite for his allround development, for active creative endeavour, the display of the entire wealth of individual capabilities, inclinations and habits, for the full-blooded life of each man (see Social Being and Social Consciousness).

Общественное сознание

См. в ст. Сознание.