RUSSIAN CIVILIZATION, MENTALITY AND STRATEGIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Abstract

Such notions as “patriotism”, “national values”, “national identity” have integrated into defining strategic objectives of present-day Russian education. In this connection, in the author’s point of view, it is required to rethink over topics of Russian civilization and Russian mentality. The article considers the problems of Russian civilization which were stated by different researchers beginning with the economic level and including deeper levels: social economic and social cultural influencing the fortune of Russia. The author focuses on the problem of discussing the “cultural core” of Russian civilization and in connection with it -researches of Russian mentality. The author suggests a hypothesis which includes the scheme of layers historically constructing Russian mentality and their key elements. As a basis for explaining the nature of Russian mentality the author elicits the archetype “space” including meaningful elements (ground state, homogeneity, objectlessness, absolute, stability, (sphere) of inner). The phenomenon “Limits” opposed to the principle “Space” has been found out. On the basis of the characteristics, elements and inner contradictions the author specifies tasks for education figures in regards to its (mentality) problems on the one hand and potential on the other.