Nonlinear social and cultural dynamics: P.A. Sorokin’s theory and contemporary approaches

Abstract

The article deals with the pioneering approaches of P.A. Sorokin to the study of non-linear transformations of social and cultural realities in the form of fluctuations. They have complex causality of both deterministic and non-deterministic character, which the scientist formulates through principles: immanent generation of consequences, self-definition by the system of its own destiny and self-determination. On the basis of these methodological innovations, he “rediscovered” the progress as an exclusively bottom-up development and argued that the pragmatically oriented development of Truth and Beauty while diminishing the production of Good leads to non-linear deformations of the institutions of democracy, law, and the family. Today Sorokin’s ideas are being actualized because non-linear approaches to the interpretation of the global complexity are in demand. The theories of becoming (P. Sztompka), rhizomic development (J. Deleuze and F. Guattari), hybridization (J. Urry), metamorphization of the world (U. Beck) and traumatic development (P. Sztompka, J. Alexander, J.T. Toshchenko) are analyzed in detail. It is concluded that in the foreseeable future the humanity will have to live with the dominance of the non-linear realities. Accordingly, we need new scientific instruments for their governance, based on interdisciplinarity, which should have a humanistic core – that corresponds to the content and spirit of P. Sorokin’s theory.