MAIN CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF RESSENTIMENT CONSCIOUSNESS IN MASS CULTURE

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the concept of "ressentiment" in the humanities discourse within the context of mass culture. The study explores the philosophical, psychological, and social dimensions of ressentiment through an interdisciplinary approach that combines philosophical, psychological, and sociological analysis.
Classical concepts of ressentiment are examined through the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and Max Scheler. The article also analyzes contemporary approaches to understanding the essence of ressentiment, particularly Francis Fukuyama’s concept, which views ressentiment through the lens of identity politics, as well as interpretations by leading Ukrainian philosophers. Special attention is given to the exploration of the relationship between ressentiment consciousness and mass culture. The article investigates the mechanisms behind the formation of ressentiment consciousness in the context of mass culture, including the mythologization of consciousness, the construction of the “enemy” image, the stimulation of consumerist consciousness, and the creation of quasi-reality.
It is concluded that mass society and mass culture create specific conditions for the emergence and spread of ressentiment. On one hand, mass culture can intensify ressentiment through systems of imagery and stereotypes; on the other, it can provide mechanisms for its neutralization. The influence of ressentiment on society manifests in various spheres—political, social, cultural, and economic. Particularly dangerous is its impact on the formation of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.
The study demonstrates that overcoming ressentiment requires a comprehensive approach that includes political, social, cultural, and psychological dimensions. Ressentiment is defined not merely as an individual psychological phenomenon, but as a complex sociocultural phenomenon that demands a systemic strategy for overcoming it. This includes the effective functioning of social institutions, the development of social capital, the cultivation of critical thinking, and an appropriate cultural policy.