SYMBOL AND CONSCIOUSNESS IN ANCIENT MYTH AND MODERN SOCIETY

A problem of a symbol in the mythological consciousness of ancient cultures and in modern interpretations is of scientific interest. Let’s consider this problem in the context of the conceptualization of M. K. Mamardashvili and A. M. Pyatigorsky on the relationship between symbol and consciousness. In modern world historical, cultural, religious, and providential reasons for the lack of symbolism are based on the peculiarities of the human psyche. Contemporaries perceive symbols with critical logical-conceptual thinking as signs for enriching knowledge about culture and the psyche. Desymbolization in these systems leads to the loss of their content and transformation into signs. Scientific semiotization is the transformation of a symbol of consciousness into a sign of culture. The symbolism of any ancient culture includes a personified psychic element - this is a symbolic fact, the immediate meaning of which we do not know. However, we are capable of self-knowledge and the disclosure of their corresponding conscious content in the form of symbols. Paradoxical philosophical reflection intuitively correlates the material image and the meaning of the symbol. There are ancient symbols that are axiologically and ontologically timeless. Considering the symbolism of heroism in the context of ancient and modern interpretations, let us turn to the symbol of fire. The ancient interpretation of the symbol of fire, meaning righteousness, Logos, reason, order, cosmic law, fire of the spirit, is identical to the interpretation of the modern symbol, meaning the fiery spiritual essence of the heroes, materialized as a symbol of eternal flame in the memorial. All ancient symbols are not objects of denoting symbols, but objects of cult contexts, within the framework of which the psychotechnics of the adepts were oriented towards their consciousness. Modern symbolism also has ontological and socio-cultural foundations reflected in religion, art, cult, tradition, language, and focused on the conscious perception of meanings, interpretation and translation in culture and society at all levels of social communities and institutions. The philosophically comprehend ancient symbols in their projection on the modern cultural, social and political environment it is necessary.