Social memory within the framework of historicism

In the paper the problemof social and historical memory correlation is stated. The correlation of real past, its preservation and adequate understanding by actual presentis meant. Historical memory is conscious addressing to the past implying all the positive and negative sides. It is an attempt to restorethe true character of the past events reflected in historical theory. Historical memory is a subject of research of historians who have the aim toreveal what was really happening during this or that historical event as well as it is a subject of research of philosophers who try to find outthe main tendencies and meaning of historical development that are reflected in historical consciousness.As social memory covers a wide range of material kept in memory, it is less connected with the real carriers of its content and is lessexposed to manipulation. Moreover, the process of social memory existence itself is realised in such forms of its existence which embracedeep essential characteristics of a society rooted in myths and archetypes.Historical memory appears as a reflection of a particular "order" for this or that reception of the past. It results in rerecording and revaluating ofthe historic past where its content is either consciously profaned or sublimated. Social memory is directed at reaching value and meaning consensuswhereas historical memory is aimed at preserving and handing over real knowledge about the past. While having identical object of reflection bothsocial and historical memory are different in terms of ways of its content recording and forms of social existence. The core systematically importantaspect that brings together social and historical memory is a person (the mankind as a whole) who performs as a carrier of both historical and socialmemory. But a person combining some things of temporary and eternal, universal and particular character is constantly constructing his attitude to theworld, and this ongoing creative dialogue can cause the appearance of social memory. Therefore, a person, social group or the society as a whole actas both objects and subjects of historical and social memory. Objects - to the extent - to which they reveal their objective social existence in the society.Subjects - as they can change actively and even manipulate the social memory content. The issue of social memory "age" is considered in thepaper. Historical memory as an earlier form of reception of a person's and mankind's existence has a great longer history and is, accordingly, older.Social memory appears when the original unity of the society is lost and there is a necessity for building up some other theoretical constructors thatcan reflect a social existence of a person, group or state.

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