Leadership Phenomenon in the Modern Humanities: From the Utility to the Ideals

Abstract

Our paper argues that there are, at least, two plans for consideration in light of the leadership phenomenon in modern humanities: the existence of the scientists and humanists in modern cultural conditions and their activities aimed at training the future experts in humanitarian fields. The paradigm of the natural and exact sciences during all lasting modernist style projects is much steadier and is defined by reference points invariable in essence on the ideas of progress, improvement of living conditions, as well as the “development” of the surrounding world. We argue that the humanitarian sphere exists in the special space that is created by the need of constant proof of “necessity,” communication with masscult space, attempt of utilitarian, its pragmatical judgment, and mobility, variability of axiological models for the modern world in which statement not only actually scientific community, but also other social institutes participates (church, business and so forth). The paper considers the potential intensions of the modern humanities: aspiration to transparency (phenomena of modern and “urgent” culture become objects of studying, the scientific methodology is popularized, academism is succeeded by some kind of intellectual game). On the other hand, there is a “stratification” of the academic environment demonstrating non-recognition of a number of approaches by “scientific.” We discuss the problem of understanding and defining the leaderships and leaders in the modern humanities as well as its orientation and values in formation of valuable models of culture.