PROBLEMATICS OF MUSIC IN THE CONTEXT OF P. A. SOROKIN’S SOCIOLOGY

Abstract

P. A. Sorokin’s reference to the problematics of music both in the context of social/sociocultural phenomena,
and the theory of social and cultural dynamics has been analyzed. It has been shown that in the later works of the sociologist there is a change of conceptual priorities: the conception of «sociocultural phenomenon» is introduced (instead of the conception «social phenomenon», which was used in earlier works by the sociologist); the conceptions “significance, values and norms» are introduced instead of the conception «mental experience». The author suggests the thesis that in his writings P. A. Sorokin (considering music as a symbol, «the bearer of meaningful interaction») anticipated the emergence of a whole trend in science — semantic theory of music. The features of ideational, idealistic and perceptible types of music, as well as the specifics of their fluctuation have been shown. The author reveals the meaning of P. A. Sorokin’s idea about the existence of three types of music, linking these types with the main variations of the correlation of the beauty and the artistry in the work of art. Refs 8.

Keywords:

social/sociocultural phenomenon, sound symbolism, music, sociocultural role of music, types of music, fluctuation of music