Social-phenomenological approach to the analysis of virtual communications.

Oxana I. Elkhova’s article "Social-Phenomenological Approach to the Analysis of Virtual Communications" explores the conceptual complexity of communication in modern philosophy and its relevance to virtual interactions. The study examines three primary approaches to intersubjectivity—dualistic, relational, and phenomenological—emphasizing the latter as the most effective for analyzing virtual communication. The phenomenological approach focuses on how individuals construct meaning in digital interactions, considering subjective perception and contextual variations. Key challenges in virtual communication arise from differences in individual meaning structures, necessitating idealizing assumptions such as the interchangeability of perspectives and the coincidence of relevance systems. The article highlights the role of signs and interpretative schemas in ensuring mutual understanding, arguing that the success of virtual communication depends on the degree of alignment between sender and receiver expectations. Ultimately, the study concludes that virtual communication, while inherently fragmented, fosters unique meaning-making processes that reshape traditional social interactions and the structure of digital discourse.