The modern crisis of European culture and historical cognition

Abstract

The Article studies the reasons for loss of historical knowledge of the leading position in the humanities knowledge system in the crisis epoch of the European Culture at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is concluded that its main reason was the failure of the idealistic romanticism value system to form an elite adequate to social challenges. It has led to social disturbances and a large-scale reappraisal of values. Historical knowledge was put on the back burner by the new social sciences. Based on the concept of cynical reason of Peter Sloterdijk, the continuance of the current position of historical knowledge in culture with respect to its position at the beginning of the twentieth century is shown. It is concluded that today the most popular element of historical knowledge is an event available for direct experience. The reason for this situation is the cynicism of culture, understood as an inability to evaluate and act. The motive of parting with the past has acquired an unambiguously positive sound, having the other side of an enthusiastic anticipation of the future. The idea that the “old” times have passed, and the “new” modernity precedes with an even more “modern” times - “post-modernity”, is present not only thematically, but defines the discourse everywhere, including media reports, advertising, everyday communication, etc. The question concerning place of history and historical knowledge from the very beginning was one of the central questions discussed in connection with the crisis.