"DIVINE VIOLENCE" IN THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION // BSU bulletin. Philosophy. - 2017. №2. Философия. Philosophy. - С. 139-147.

"DIVINE VIOLENCE" IN THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

DOI: 10.18101/1994-0866-2017-2-139-147 UDK: [130.2:572]:316.613.434

The article deals with one of the forms of violence which dominates at a certain stage of social transformation — faith-based "divine" violence realized through the sacralization of violent actions. It is noted that "divine" violence is implemented through faith in the charismatic leader, belief in permanence of the world and its wonderful nature. Particular attention is paid to the components of "divine" vi- olence: magical and ritual (or ritual-symbolic) thinking. The role of magical think- ing in "divine" violence lies in choosing the correct interpretation of the necessity for its implementation, sacralization of victims of violence through the explanation of their deaths by sovereign plan and testing of higher forces. Establishment of "divine" violence causes the appearance and inclusion of certain symbols, new so- cial rituals in culture, later they become the components of "rational" violence. The task of social ritual is to carry out a collective act of indirect violence. Social rituals as components of social transformations occur when violence passes the stage of paroxysm and the idea of necessity for peace and order confirms in collective con- sciousness. Establishment of a new historical countdown is an instrument of "di- vine" violence.

violence, social violence, social transformations, magical thinking, ri- tual thinking.