The national mentality in the history of philosophy

The importance of the study discussed in the paper is determined by the fact that today the national renascence is increasingly viewed as one of the main features of human development. There is a widespread interest in the ethnic roots of both individuals and the whole nations. This interest is characterized by different degrees of intensity: from attempts to revive ancient customs, traditions, rituals to the desire of creating independent national states. It is common throughout the world that people have a strong desire to keep the identity, emphasize the feature of the mental attitude, and the surge of unprecedented national consciousness becomes obvious. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the social and philosophical meaning of the Russian form of the national mentality, or mind set, which has been considered by the author as a distinctive hallmark and collective vision on life and the world implemented through the attitudes of being disposed to adopt certain social and cultural values and norms that affect people’s behavior, social relations, and culture. The following conceptual methods of research have been used initially: the unity of historical and logical principles, the principle of contradiction, the principle of relativity. The theoretical basis of the research deals with the sociological research data obtained with the use of literature review method, primarily Russia’s philosophical heritage. The study conducted made it possible to present a comprehensive philosophical consideration of ‘mentality’ concept, as well as the mechanisms of impact and determinants involved in the transformation of Russian tolerance. The materials of the paper may be of practical significance and can be useful in developing and implementing methods and new technologies to form adaptive moods in the modern social environment, to manage social processes at different levels, to implement mass media programs and ICT in PR-technologies, to develop tolerant ideas, to prevent and resolve national and social conflicts, to make arrangements and conduct social and political actions. © 2018, Slovenska Vzdelavacia Obstaravacia. All rights reserved.