Topic 8. Natural factors in the development of society

The life of society takes place in a certain natural environment and therefore the latter undoubtedly influences the development of society. This topic examines specific natural factors and conditions affecting society. Natural factors of one kind directly affect the life and health of people and therefore they are classified as environmental determinants. The natural conditions and factors on which the development of the productive forces of society depends include the geographical conditions of its existence (climate, soil, presence of minerals, forests, rivers, lakes, etc.).

The impact of geographical factors on society has been noted by many historians, geographers, politicians and statesmen. Sometimes this impact was so greatly exaggerated that the geographical environment acted as the main determinant of the development of society; such views are rightly characterized as geographical determinism. Population size also affects the development of society and its productive forces, but if until the beginning of the 19th century population growth was assessed positively, then later some economists and sociologists began to see it as a negative factor. The most prominent exponents of such negative views were T. Malthus and his followers - the Malthusians. Criticizing their views, it should be shown that demographic processes are determined not so much by biological as by socio-economic factors.

Key questions for discussion. What is meant by geographic environment? What is the essence of geographical determinism? Describe C. Montesquieu's views on the role of the geographical environment. What new does G. Buckle bring to the understanding of the geographical environment? What role does L. I. Mechnikov assign to the natural environment and river civilizations? What is environmental determinism? What impact does population have on the development of society? What is T. Malthus's doctrine of population? How is the population factor assessed in the materialistic understanding of history?

The functions of the natural environment must ensure the sustainable prosperity of human society. This goal is specified by three groups of subgoals: environmental, social, economic.

Environmental - ensuring health and sustainable continuation of the human race as a biological species.

Social - ensuring spiritual development, which ultimately includes the cognitive, artistic and moral development of a person.

Economic - the production of material goods and services sufficient to ensure environmental and social goals.

Achieving environmental and social goals is largely driven by economic goals.

The basic factor in solving the problems of providing people with material goods and improving biological health

and spiritual development of a person is the natural environment, the functions of which are shown in the figure (Fig. 1.5).

The ecological function of the natural environment is the oldest and most important. It existed long before the other two functions appeared. At the first stages of his development, man used the gifts of nature without mediated by labor. This period of use of "wild" ecological systems is characterized by gathering and hunting. The lack of natural resources was compensated by human migration to places of abundance of water and food, and a favorable climate.

Human development

Social factors

Maintaining human life as a biological species: habitat, breathing air, food resources, water resources, metabolic resources

Biological factors

Cognitive development: information resource, means of information exchange

Artistic development: development of creativity, aesthetic satisfaction, development of a sense of beauty and harmony

Moral development: nurturing a sense of humanism, developing a sense of optimism and stability

Environmental factors

Reproduction of means of production: source of objects of labor, means of labor, spatial environment, energy resource, information resource

Reproduction of consumer goods Reproduction of labor force

Rice. 1.5. Functions of the natural environment 32

The impact of the natural environment on the socio-economic system is direct, but at the same time necessary. Professor Ya.Ya. Roginsky identifies five main ways in which the natural environment influences people: the first is a direct impact on people’s health, their physical endurance, performance, fertility and mortality; the second - through human dependence on natural means of subsistence, on the abundance or lack of food, that is, game, fish, plant resources; third - the influence of the presence or absence of the necessary means of labor; fourth - the creation by nature itself of motives that encourage people to act, incentives to act in accordance with the requirements of changing environmental conditions; fifth - the presence or absence of natural barriers that prevent meetings and contacts between groups (oceans, deserts, mountains, swamps). The absence of barriers, on the one hand, could turn out to be extremely useful for mutual enrichment of experience, and on the other hand, detrimental in the event of a collision with superior forces of hostile groups. (Roginsky Ya.Ya. Social essence and biological nature... - M.: Knowledge, 1983).

Analysis of the use of natural resources and indicators of socio-economic development allows us to trace a clear mutual connection between the state of the natural environment (sufficiency of natural resources, environmental quality) and the level of development of the socio-economic system (Fig.

An abundance of natural resources and favorable natural conditions stimulate the growth of economic development and contribute to the prosperity of the social system. However, these same favorable opportunities for the existence of the socio-economic system gradually turn into a kind of brake for the emergence of revolutionary changes in the system and lead to a certain stagnation.

b) stimulates the involvement of new natural resources

1. Excess, flourishing

2. Natural resources. Natural environment

3. Deficiency, degradation

1. Heyday

2. Socio-economic system

3. Degradation

Stimulates growth in development rates

a) reduces labor intensity and load on the environment

Leads to depletion of natural resources, degradation of the natural environment

a) causes a crisis in the system

6) stimulates the search for ways out of the crisis

Slows down revolutionary changes

The deterioration of the natural environment forces us to look for ways out of the crisis, stimulates the emergence of basic technical ideas and principles, and revolutionary changes in society.

Impact of the socio-economic system on the natural environment.

When analyzing feedback, it is also possible to identify positive and negative impacts. The development of the productive forces of society makes it possible to involve new natural resources in production or to use poorer sources and secondary resources, as well as to reduce the specific need for natural resources per unit of production and reduce the man-made load on the natural environment.

Intensive use of natural resources in the absence of high-quality development of productive forces leads to depletion of natural resources and degradation of the natural environment.

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Social life

The relationship between the natural and the social in man

The role of natural factors in the formation of social life

Social life

Culture and its influence on social development

Conclusion

Literature

Natural ratioone and social in man

In the structure of human nature one can find three components: biological nature, social nature and spiritual nature.

General health and longevity are genetically determined in human biological nature; temperament, which is one of four possible types: choleric, sanguine, melancholic and phlegmatic; talents and inclinations. It should be taken into account that each person is not a biologically repeated organism, the structure of its cells and DNA molecules (genes).

Biological nature is the only real basis on which a person is born and exists. Each individual, each person exists from that time until his biological nature exists and lives. But with all his biological nature, man belongs to the animal world. And man is born only as the animal species Homo Sapiens; is not born as a human being, but only as a candidate for a human being. The newborn biological creature Homo Sapiens has yet to become a human being in the full sense of the word.

Man inherited his biological nature from the animal world. And biological nature steadily demands from every animal being that, having been born, it satisfies its biological needs: eat, drink, grow, mature, mature and reproduce its own kind in order to recreate its kind. To recreate one’s own race—that’s what an animal individual is born for, comes into the world.

The same meaning of life is embedded by biological nature in human life. A person, having been born, must receive from his ancestors everything necessary for his existence, growth, maturity, and, having matured, he must reproduce his own kind, give birth to a child.

Social nature also imposes criteria on a person to determine the meaning of his life.

On the one hand, man is the highest level of development of matter, he is a living organism. This means that, as a species representing the highest degree of development of animal organisms on Earth, it is included in the natural connection of phenomena and is subject to the laws of development of animal organisms. On the other hand, man is a social being. Its essence is developed in society, in interaction with other people, in the process of social activity. It is the result of the long development of man in society.

Only society ensures the existence of man both as an individual, a person, and as a biological species. People live in society, first of all, in order to biologically survive for each individual and the entire human race in general. Society, and not the individual, is the only guarantor of the existence of man as a biological species, Homo Sapiens. Only society accumulates, preserves and passes on to the next generations the experience of a person’s struggle for survival, the experience of the struggle for existence. Hence, in order to preserve both the species and the individual (personality), it is necessary to preserve the society of this individual (personality). Consequently, for each individual person, from the point of view of his nature, society is more important than he himself, an individual person. That is why, even at the level of biological interests, the meaning of human life is to take care of society more than one’s own, individual life. Even if in the name of preserving this, your own society, it is necessary to sacrifice your personal life.

The role of natural factors in the formation of social life

The concept of “social life” is used to denote a complex of phenomena that arise in the course of interaction between humans and social communities, as well as the joint use of natural resources necessary to satisfy needs. The biological, geographical, demographic and economic foundations of social life differ.

When analyzing the foundations of social life, one should analyze the peculiarities of human biology as a social subject, creating the biological possibilities of human labor, communication, and mastering the social experience accumulated by previous generations. These include such an anatomical feature of a person as an upright gait.

It allows you to better see your surroundings and use your hands in the process of work.

An important role in social activity is played by such a human organ as the hand with the opposable thumb. Human hands can perform complex operations and functions, and humans can engage in a variety of work activities. This should also include looking forward and not to the sides, allowing you to see in three directions, the complex mechanism of the vocal cords, larynx and lips, which contributes to the development of speech. The human brain and complex nervous system provide the opportunity for high development of the individual’s psyche and intelligence. The brain serves as a biological prerequisite for reflecting the entire wealth of spiritual and material culture and its further development.

People of different races, brought up in the same cultural conditions, develop the same views, aspirations, ways of thinking and acting. It is important to note that education alone cannot arbitrarily shape the person being educated. Innate talent (for example, musical) has an important impact on social life.

Let us analyze various aspects of the influence of the geographical environment on human life as a subject of social life. It should be noted that there is a certain minimum of natural and geographical conditions that are necessary for successful human development.

The nature of occupations, type of economic activity, objects and means of labor, food, etc. - all this significantly depends on human habitation in a particular zone (in the polar zone, in the steppe or in the subtropics).

Researchers note the influence of climate on human performance. A hot climate reduces the time of active activity. Cold climates require people to make great efforts to maintain life.

Temperate climates are most conducive to activity. Factors such as atmospheric pressure, air humidity, and winds are important factors that affect human health, which is an important factor in social life.

Soils play a major role in the functioning of social life. Their fertility, combined with a favorable climate, creates conditions for the progress of the people living on them. This affects the pace of development of the economy and society as a whole. Poor soils hinder the achievement of a high standard of living and require significant human effort.

The terrain is no less important in social life. The presence of mountains, deserts, and rivers can become a natural defensive system for a particular people.

At the stage of the initial development of a particular people, the geographic environment left its specific imprint on its culture, both in its economic, political, and spiritual-aesthetic aspects. This is indirectly expressed in certain specific habits, customs, and rituals, in which the features of the people’s way of life associated with their living conditions are manifested.

Thus, geographical factors played a significant role in the formation of culture in the initial stages of the development of a particular people. Subsequently, reflected in culture, they can be reproduced by the people regardless of their original habitat

Based on the above, it should be noted that when considering the role of the geographical environment, “geographical nihilism”, a complete denial of its impact on the functioning of society, is unacceptable. On the other hand, one cannot share the point of view of representatives of “geographical determinism”, who see an unambiguous and unidirectional relationship between the geographical environment and the processes of social life, when the development of society is completely determined by geographical factors. Taking into account the creative potential of the individual, the development of science and technology on this basis, and cultural exchange between peoples create a certain independence of man from the geographical environment. However, human social activity must fit harmoniously into the natural geographic environment. It should not violate its basic eco-connections.

Social life

Society as a whole is the largest system. Its most important subsystems are economic, political, social, and spiritual. In society, there are also such subsystems as classes, ethnic, demographic, territorial and professional groups, family, etc. Each of the named subsystems includes many other subsystems. They can mutually regroup; the same individuals can be elements of different systems. An individual cannot but obey the requirements of the system in which he is included. He accepts its norms and values ​​to one degree or another. At the same time, in society there are simultaneously various forms of social activity and behavior, between which a choice is possible.

In order for society to function as a single whole, each subsystem must perform specific, strictly defined functions. The functions of subsystems mean the satisfaction of any social needs. Yet together they are aimed at maintaining the sustainability of society.

The development of social life represents a consistent transition from lower to higher socio-economic formations: from primitive communal to slaveholding, then to feudal, capitalist and communist.

Any civilization is characterized not only by a specific social production technology, but also, to no lesser extent, by its corresponding culture. It is characterized by a certain philosophy, socially significant values, a generalized image of the world, a specific way of life with its own special life principle, the basis of which is the spirit of the people, its morality, conviction, which also determine a certain attitude towards oneself.

The civilizational approach in sociology involves taking into account and studying what is unique and original in the organization of the social life of an entire region.

In the sphere of production and economic relations, this is the achieved level of development of technology and technology generated by the new stage of the scientific and technological revolution, the system of commodity-money relations, and the presence of a market.

In the political sphere, the general civilizational basis includes a rule of law state operating on the basis of democratic norms.

In the spiritual and moral sphere, the common heritage of all peoples are the great achievements of science, art, culture, as well as universal moral values.

Social life is shaped by a complex set of forces, in which natural phenomena and processes are only one of the elements. Based on the conditions created by nature, a complex interaction of individuals manifests itself, which forms a new integrity, society, as a social system. Labor, as a fundamental form of activity, underlies the development of diverse types of organization of social life.

Social life can be defined as a complex of phenomena arising from the interaction of individuals, social groups, in a certain space, and the use of products located in it, necessary to satisfy needs.

Social life arises, reproduces and develops precisely because of the presence of dependencies between people. To satisfy his needs, a person must interact with other individuals, enter a social group, and participate in joint activities.

Dependence can be elementary, direct dependence on one’s friend, brother, colleague. Dependence can be complex and indirect. For example, the dependence of our individual life on the level of development of society, the effectiveness of the economic system, the effectiveness of the political organization of society, and the state of morals. There are dependencies between different communities of people (between urban and rural residents, students and workers, etc.).

Social connection is nothing more than dependence, which is realized through social action and appears in the form of social interaction. Let us consider in more detail such elements of social life as social action and interaction.

A striking example of interaction is the production process. Here there is deep and close coordination of the system of actions of partners on issues for which a connection has been established between them, for example, the production and distribution of goods. An example of social interaction could be communication with work colleagues and friends. In the process of interaction, actions, services, personal qualities, etc. are exchanged.

So, in all subjects that are significant for satisfying his needs, a person enters into deep, connected interaction with other people, with society as a whole. Social connections thus represent a variety of interactions consisting of actions and responses. As a result of the repetition of one or another type of interaction, different types of relationships between people arise.

The relationships that connect a social subject (individual, social group) with objective reality, and which are aimed at transforming it, are called human activity. Purposeful human activity consists of individual actions and interactions. In general, human activity is characterized by a creatively transformative nature, activity and objectivity.

It can be material and spiritual, practical and theoretical, transformative and educational, etc. Social action is at the core of human activity.

Cultureand its impact on societydevelopment

Currently, there are about 300 options for defining culture. Such diversity certainly indicates that culture occupies a special place in the life of mankind. It is an indicator of the material and spiritual maturity of society. It embodies the ability of society in each specific historical period to ensure the functioning of social life.

These abilities are characterized by the level of knowledge achieved, the quality and variety of created tools and means of life, the ability to practically apply them and use them for creative purposes, the degree of mastery of the spontaneous forces of nature, and the improvement of social life in the interests of society. Culture, obviously, acts as a qualitative side of any activity, as a way of thinking and behavior. At the same time, it represents certain values, both material and spiritual. In real life they are fused, but there are also differences. Material culture, as a rule, is objective and tangible. Spiritual values ​​can appear not only in an objective-material shell, but also in an act of creative activity.

The components of material culture have a clear value expression. This cannot be said about spiritual culture: many of its objects are priceless and unique. Some researchers identify culture with the entire social sphere, others with spiritual life, others present it as a set of material and spiritual values, etc.

However, it seems that the content of this category cannot be limited to any one sphere of life (material or spiritual), one value characteristic (aesthetic, moral or political), one form of activity (cognitive, educational, organizational, etc.) .

Each stage of society is distinguished by certain cultural and historical specifics. These differences are many: the number of accumulated cultural objects and methods of their production, the assimilation and understanding of the experience of previous generations, the connection between various types of cultural activities, cultural objects and human culture, the spirit of culture, influencing the system of principles, norms and rules of social life.

Culture performs diverse and responsible social functions. First of all, according to Smelser, it structures social life, that is, it does the same thing as genetically programmed behavior in the lives of animals. Learned behavior, common to an entire group of people and passed on from generation to generation, is culture. This process itself is called socialization. During its course, values, beliefs, norms, and ideals become part of the personality and shape its behavior.

The spiritual and moral function of culture is closely related to socialization. It identifies, systematizes, addresses, reproduces, preserves, develops and transmits eternal values ​​in society - goodness, beauty, truth. Values ​​exist as an integral system. The set of values ​​generally accepted in a particular social group or country, expressing their special vision of social reality, is called mentality. There are political, economic, aesthetic and other values. The dominant type of values ​​are moral values, which represent the preferred options for relationships between people, their connections with each other and society.

Culture also has a communicative function, which makes it possible to consolidate the connection between the individual and society, to see the connection between times, to establish a connection between progressive traditions, to establish mutual influence (mutual exchange), and to select what is most necessary and appropriate for replication.

One can also name such aspects of the purpose of culture as being an instrument for the development of social activity and citizenship.

Active development of the media in the twentieth century. led to the emergence of new cultural forms. The so-called mass culture has especially spread among them. It arose along with the emergence of a society of mass production and mass consumption.

Recently, another new form of culture has appeared - screen (virtual), associated with the computer revolution, based on the synthesis of a computer with video technology.

Sociologists note that culture is very dynamic. So, in the second half of the twentieth century. Significant changes have occurred in culture: the mass media have developed enormously, an industrial-commercial type of production of standardized spiritual goods has emerged, leisure time and spending on leisure have increased, culture has become a branch of the market economy.

social public natural culture

Conclusion

Man exists through metabolism with the environment. He breathes, consumes various natural products, and exists as a biological body within certain physicochemical, organic and other environmental conditions. As a natural, biological being, a person is born, grows, matures, ages and dies.

All this characterizes a person as a biological being and determines his biological nature. But at the same time, it differs from any animal and, first of all, in the following features: it produces its own environment (dwelling, clothing, tools), changes the surrounding world not only according to the measure of its utilitarian needs, but also according to the laws of knowledge of this world, as well as and according to the laws of morality and beauty, it can act not only according to need, but also in accordance with the freedom of its will and imagination, while the action of an animal is focused exclusively on satisfying physical needs (hunger, instinct of procreation, group, species instincts, etc.); makes his life activity an object, treats it meaningfully, purposefully changes it, plans it.

All his natural inclinations and senses, including hearing, vision, and smell, become socially and culturally oriented. He evaluates the world according to the laws of beauty developed in a given social system, and acts according to the laws of morality that have developed in a given society. New, not only natural, but also social, spiritual and practical feelings develop in him. These are, first of all, feelings of sociality, collectivity, morality, citizenship, and spirituality.

All together, these qualities, both innate and acquired, characterize the biological and social nature of man.

Culture gives a person a sense of belonging to a community, fosters control over one’s behavior, and determines the style of practical life. At the same time, culture is a decisive way of social interactions and the integration of individuals into society.

Literature

1. Dubinin N. P. What is a person. - M.: Mysl, 1983.

2. Lavrienko V.N. Sociology: Textbook for universities - M.: UNITY-DANA, 2004.

3.Prokopova M.V. Fundamentals of Sociology: Textbook - M.: RDL Publishing House, 2001.

4. Sokolova V.A. Fundamentals of Sociology. Rostov n/D: Phoenix, 2000.

5. Efendiev. A.G. Fundamentals of Sociology. Lecture course. Rep. ed. M., 1993.

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To begin with, let us turn to the analysis of the initial concepts - “nature” and “society”.

The concept "nature" is used in two senses. Nature in a broad sense– everything that exists, the whole world, the Universe, i.e. everything around us, including humans and society. Nature in the narrow sense– the natural environment in which human and social life takes place (the surface of the Earth with its special qualitative characteristics: climate, minerals, etc.).

Society there is an isolated part of nature that emerged into an independent, sociocultural reality as a result of the joint activities of people. The phenomena of culture and civilization are artificially created, second nature. Nature is much older than society, but since the existence of mankind, the history of people and the history of nature have been inextricably linked with each other: society is not isolated from nature, not protected from the influence of natural forces, both positive and negative.

The relationship between nature, society and man has always attracted the attention of philosophy.

Ancient philosophy gave priority to nature, to the Cosmos as a living, ordered whole. The ideal for man, understood as a part of the Cosmos, was considered to live in harmony with nature.

IN Middle Ages nature was placed lower than man, for the latter was thought of as the image and likeness of God, as the crown of creation and the king of earthly nature. It was believed that nature embodied the Divine plan.

IN Renaissance man discovered beauty in nature. The unity of man and nature was affirmed, but man is already striving to subjugate nature.

This aspiration becomes the leading one in New time, when nature becomes an object of scientific knowledge and active transformative activity of man.

Over time, this utilitarian-pragmatic attitude towards nature began to dominate in all technogenic civilizations right up to the present day. As opposition to this approach, an awareness of the need for human cooperation with nature and an equal dialogue with it is maturing.

Considering the fact of interaction between nature and society, we will focus in this issue on the role of nature in the life and development of society. It is clear that nature, forming the natural environment for humans, is a necessary condition for the existence and development of society.

The most important component of nature is geographical environment- a part of nature involved in the sphere of practical human activity. In more specific terms, it is understood as the totality of the geographical position, surface structure, soil cover, fossil wealth, climate, water resources, flora and fauna on the territory of the Earth on which a certain human society lives and develops. In other words, the geographical environment is represented by such components of nature as: lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.

Plays a particularly important role in it biosphere- the living shell of our planet, the area of ​​​​interaction between living and nonliving things, which, with the advent of people, passes, according to Vernadsky, into a qualitatively new state - the noosphere.

Society also has its components:

▪ anthroposphere– the sphere of life of people as biological organisms;

▪ sociosphere– the area of ​​social relations between people;

▪ biotechnosphere– area of ​​distribution of technological influence of mankind.

Highlight three aspects of nature's impact on society:

▪ ecological– “nature around us” (geographical environment, as well as part of the near cosmos that humans explore);

▪ anthropological– “nature is within us” (= natural-biological principle in man himself: heredity, racial characteristics, temperament, inclinations);

▪ demographic, characterizing the biological characteristics of the entire human race.

These features are expressed in terms of “ population"(= a continuously reproducing set of people living in a certain territory), its " gender and age structure», « height», « density" The laws of population (fertility, mortality, growth or decline) are historical, biosocial in nature. It is recorded that the Earth's population increases noticeably from era to era.

There is a concept that states that population growth is a factor determining the development of society. Within its framework there were outlined two options: 1) population growth is good for society, because stimulates the development of production ( V. Petty in England in the 17th century, M.M.Kovalevsky in Russia, XIX century) 2) population growth is evil, the source of social disasters. Thus, the English economist and priest T.R. Malthus(1766-1834) in his work “An Essay on the Law of Population” argued that the growth of population, if it does not meet resistance, occurs in geometric progression (doubling every 25 years), and the growth of means of subsistence - in arithmetic progression. From this Malthus concludes: the main evil leading to poverty of the population is its growth.

Despite the inaccuracies in calculations and forecasts, for the first time in Malthus the question of population became the object of strictly scientific research. Moreover, the current demographic situation is characterized as “ population explosion" - a rapid increase in population growth rates due to the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America: if in 2000 the world's population was 6 billion people, now it is already about 7 billion, in 2025 8 billion are expected, and in 2050 – 9.3 billion

The other side of the problem is a decrease in population growth in a number of developed countries: Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, etc. Negative dynamics are also observed in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. In general, maintaining the current growth rate of the Earth's population can lead to the destruction of the natural environment, economic decline, deterioration in the quality of life of people, migrant problems... To avoid this, it is necessary, at a minimum, to help reduce the rate of population growth in the countries of Asia and Africa, as well as to look for new ways to feed humanity, incl. due to the achievements of science, but this must be consistent with the solution of environmental problems.

The impact of nature on society (in its environmental aspect) received understanding within the framework geographical determinism– a direction in social philosophy, according to which factors of the geographical environment play a decisive role in the life and development of society. The foundations of this approach were outlined in antiquity ( Hippocrates), but it became especially widespread from the beginning of the 16th century. - the time of the beginning of great geographical discoveries.

One of the major representatives of geographical determinism in modern times C. Montesquieu in his book “On the Spirit of Laws,” he pursued the idea that climate, soil, and terrain determine the moral and psychological appearance of the people, and through this, the laws and social system.

So, if the southern peoples are relaxed and lazy, then the peoples of the North, where the climate is harsh and the soil is poor, are brave and inclined to defend their freedom. As a result, despotism is more likely to develop in the south than in the north. Montesquieu's conclusion: “The power of climate is stronger than all powers!”

The geographical direction was also represented in our country. K.I.Ber(17921876) argued that the fate of peoples is determined “in advance and inevitably by the nature of the area they occupy.” L.I. Mechnikov(1838-1888) also sought to prove that the geographical environment is a decisive force for historical progress, while emphasizing the role of waterways. The development of society, according to him, goes from ancient, isolated from each other, river civilizations, to sea, and then oceanic, which begin with the discovery of America. This process, according to Mechnikov, leads to the acceleration of the development of society, to an increase in its dynamics.

Some Russian thinkers raised the question more broadly - about the influence of cosmic factors on the development of society ( Chizhevsky, L. Gumilyov, Vernadsky and etc.).

Geographical determinism in general is criticized for a certain metaphysical thinking, for the fact that it does not take into account the evolution of society and its reverse influence on nature. However, despite the one-sidedness of the theories considered, they reflect some important aspects of the influence of natural factors on social life.

Developing system. And many things influence her. To simplify the understanding of the topic, science identifies objective and subjective factors in the development of society. And later in the article we will try to list them and consider them in more detail.

Nature

This is the first thing that needs to be noted when talking about objective and subjective factors in the development of society. Nature falls into the first category. After all, in fact, objective factors are those that do not directly depend on the conscious activity of a person and people, as well as on their will.

So, nature plays an important role in And there is a lot of evidence for this. For example, ancient civilizations were based on river banks. And this is logical, because nearby is the water that a person needs for a full existence.

About destruction

True, natural factors often contributed to death. Just remember the Minoan civilization, which existed from 2700 to 1400 BC. Natural conditions contributed to its flourishing. The Minoans carved dwellings in the rocks and began to practice stamping seals on clay. Their main activity was maritime trade, since the island was located at the intersection of major trade routes. But then the Santorini volcano erupted - and this natural factor accelerated the death of the Minoan civilization.

Technologies

So, nature contributes to the satisfaction of basic human needs. But technology is also included in the factors of social development. You could even say that in our time they are in first place.

Many scientists thought so. For example, (American publicist, sociologist and economist) is the founder of the idea of ​​technocracy. He argued that the progress of society is the development of technology. And this idea began to spread especially actively at the moment when the industrial revolution arose. Many figures of that time assured that in order for an industrial society to develop and form with dignity and create wealth through production, and not through wars and robbery, power must be transferred to the hands of the technical intelligentsia.

Man and technology

When talking about objective and subjective factors in the development of society, it is necessary to pay attention to how exactly in our time technologies influence its prosperity. Of course, a little earlier the appearance of something new was a miracle that could improve productivity, the quality of a particular process, etc. But now, probably, about 90% of human labor is mechanized. And that's not good. Because many people no longer have the need to develop and work. And this is no longer progress, but degradation. And there are many clear examples of this in life.

As it was before? To pass an exam or test, students studied, read tons of books, sat in libraries, and prepared. They wrote the tips by hand, in small handwriting (at the same time remembering what was written). And thanks to this, they emerged from the walls of the university as trained specialists who received their education with their own minds and strengths. What's happening nowadays? There are micro-earphones, pens with built-in secret “cheat sheets”, phones with the Internet, after all. Of course, not everyone “learns” in this way and not everywhere, but it is a fact that the quality of training of specialists has decreased. And this is just one example.

About progress

When talking about objective and subjective factors in the development of society, one cannot help but turn to examples. Namely: to the USA, Western Europe and Japan. This is where progress is most evident. And the development of society is the notorious computerization, automation and everything - for the benefit of people.

With the help of modern technologies, it is possible to process incredible amounts of information. Thanks to this, production output increases, and the management of various types of institutions becomes simpler. All this has a direct impact on the fact that technological progress contributes to the manifestation of subjective development factors. Society, individual social groups, individuals get the opportunity to express themselves. Technical progress is an impetus for self-development.

And with a competent approach, information will not be the reason for the reduction of traditional production, but for expansion. It’s just that what existed previously in social systems will receive additional, new impulses for development. True, Russia still lags behind the above countries in computerization of management and industry.

Two sides of the same coin

When talking about the main factors in the development of society, one cannot fail to mention the consequences of the notorious progress. They can be both positive and negative.

Take, for example, the improvement of tools. This is progress that contributes to the growth of living standards and the satisfaction of human needs. But at the same time, it can provoke unemployment, and also depletion of energy and raw material reserves.

The growth of cities is also good, since the level of well-being and spiritual culture of the population is growing. But at the same time, alienation between people cannot be ruled out. And the saddest thing is the pollution of the natural environment.

The introduction of computer technology ensures ease of obtaining and subsequent processing of information. Making decisions has become much easier and faster. But computerization can threaten global manipulation of consciousness and the emergence of occupational diseases.

Progress also includes the discovery of possibilities for the use of nuclear energy, which contributes to economic growth and cheaper energy. But the consequence could be a nuclear arms race or even the threat of planetary destruction.

The last thing I would like to note is the spread of mass culture. A good consequence of this is the easy accessibility of cultural achievements. And the bad ones are the decline of morality and lack of spirituality.

What plays a decisive role

Some objective and subjective factors were discussed above - in general, a very interesting science. And people involved in it have a definite opinion about what exactly plays a decisive role in our life, assigning it to objective factors. After all, they determine everything that is subjective - the direction of the activities of people and society.

These include the state of social institutions (army, family, education and court), the size of the state’s territory, and the specifics of the climate. There are plenty of examples. If, for example, there is extreme heat in a particular region, people will think about creating an effective and low-cost cooling system, but not about heating. This example shows how an objective factor (climate) contributes to the development of society through the application of something that is subjective (technology).

But in historical idealism the opposite is true. There the subjective factor is decisive. Because it includes certain activities of significant and outstanding personalities, based on the church and government. The mass of the people here is an objective factor (or, in other words, a condition) promoting social development.

Progress criteria

There are 4 main factors in the development of society. They characterize the transition from lower to higher, or, in other words, the path to perfection:

1. Increasing welfare and social security of members of society.
2. Reduction of confrontation between people, improvement of interpersonal relationships. And accordingly, the growth of spirituality and the acquisition of morality by people.
3. Affirmation of democracy.
4. Gaining freedom to people. It is in the absence of coercion to anything from the outside that the happiness of every person lies.

There are only 4 criteria. Objective and subjective factors in the development of society are clearly intertwined in them. Because one cannot exist without the other.

About subjectivity

This is the last thing I would like to talk about. Objective and subjective factors in the development of society, in short, represent a certain basis for the entire modern society. The topic is quite complex. Because it is connected with people on whom everything subjective depends. For example, moral consciousness is morality, which is aimed at regulating social relations and the behavior of individuals. Moral consciousness is a set of certain views, opinions and ideas about something. In this case, it’s about people’s behavior. Accordingly, morality acts as a regulator of the latter.

Includes ethical feelings, principles, judgments, norms of behavior, values. All this affects social development - its prosperity or degradation. For example, if absolutely every person took proper care of the environment and thought about its safety, then our planet would be truly green. There would be no cigarette butts, no bottles, no forests would be cut down, no animals would be exterminated. Many extinct species would survive. This is what the manifestation of the relationship between an objective factor (nature) and a subjective factor (people’s behavior) looks like.