Modern cynicism as a form of critical-reflexive worldview

The article is devoted to the analysis of the modern phenomenon of cynicism in the context of its interpretation as a critical-reflexive form of worldview. Analysis of the phenomenon is based on the concept of cynicism by Peter Sloterdijk. Sloterdijk defines cynicism as the dominant form of modern consciousness. Cynicism is considered as a meta-historical phenomenon of consciousness, showing its specificity depending on the social and cultural conditions of the era. The specificity of modern cynicism is associated with the historical experience of the 20th century, the change of two sociocultural dominants - modernity and postmodernity. The features of postmodern culture are considered. It is noted that the situation of postmodernity can be characterised as a situation of "cultural trauma" (Piotr Sztompka). This situation is characterised by an increase in negative expectations in anticipation of any social change and a lack of confidence in the ideas of progress. The situation of trauma characterises the social, historical and emotional context, which acts as a medium for the formation of the subject, with a specific type of world perception, the result of which is the formation of a cynical form of worldview and reaction to the world. Structurally, cynicism corresponds to the end of any epoch. Within the structure of postmodernism, cynicism manifested itself as a further radicalisation of critical thinking presented in the Enlightenment. The postmodern revision of the basic attitudes of the entire Western culture led to the question of the possibility of obtaining reliable knowledge and truth. An individual finds oneself in a situation of uncertainty and impossibility of finding a stable basis of existence. This leads the individual to the need to remain in the position of cynicism, as the only stable orientation of consciousness, allowing to evaluate and interpret events. On this basis, cynicism is interpreted as a form of a critical-reflexive worldview, based on doubt about the possibility of achieving value universals, whose main values are personal, selfish motives, denying the possibility of development of society, etc.

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