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Urgency of the research. Social institution as a phenomenon represents a multilevel symbiosis of corresponding components, which includes not only elements (objects, subjects) of social reality, but also certain stereotypes, mental attitudes, imaginary (virtual) realities and allows revealing evolutionary and progressive sanity of social institution functioning in the synthesis of innovation and principles of sustainable development of a society.

Target setting. Modern socioeconomic crisis, change of axiological vector, communicative strategies, emotional-motivational and moral and ethical determinants, actualization of human-centrism discourse have provoked the process of multiplication of the number of variables in the equation of social dimension of human life, where the phenomenon of “social institution” is the meaning, technology, mechanism, cognitive filter of formation and development of both an individual and a society.

Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Among famous scientists, who studied the problems of emergence and functioning of the phenomenon of “social institution”, we focus on the works of T. Veblen, Y. Habermas, J. Campbell, J. Com-mons, J. Searle, R. Tuomela, L. Khaliullina, C. Hay, W. Schmidt, and others.

The research objectives. To undertake a theoretical analysis of the concept and the essence of the phenomenon of “social institution”.

The statement of basic materials. The tradition of the “social institution” phenomenon studying distinguishes the following directions of its interpretation: classical structuralism, which absolutizes the role of impersonal social structures; actionism, which is based on the priority of the life activity of subjects of social dynamics; discursive institutionalism, which combines the project of communicative society of Y. Habermas and social constructivism of J. Searle. The following components shape the social institution functionality. First, social institution produces fairly accurate criteria for acceptable and unacceptable behavior of individuals. Therefore, it is appropriate to note, if not constitutional, then regulating influence of social institutions on values, culture, morality, law, traditions, and rituals of society. Secondly, social institutions produce stable samples of hermeneutic practices, which become the primary source for interpreting the behavior of others and create prerequisites for reflection and self-analysis. And thirdly, such regulation of social life not only sets certain limits and restrictions, but also shapes the prerequisites for mechanisms of shaping meaning and highlighting the integrity of phenomena.

Conclusions. Theoretical analysis of the concept and the essence of the phenomenon of “social institution” requires further research. Based on J. Searle’s study (the concept of a social reality constructing) predominantly, we affirm that human society as such begins with an institutionalized reality, and that the modern discourse of social matter is impossible without involvement of historical and cultural context, the logic of technological and civilizational development, and the ideology of values. This comprehensive approach enriches the descriptive and analytical possibilities of discursive social procedures.

Keywords: social institution, individual, society, institutionalism, intentionality, social reality, social system.

 

References:

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