MYTHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF THE GENESIS OF THE PHENOMENON «HONOR»

Abstract

The purpose of the study. The article deals with the peculiarities of the meaning of the phenomenon of Honor in the context of Ancient Greek culture and the conditions of the influence of myth on the process of its formation. Methodology. The research was carried out based on the method of unity of the historical and logical, as a result of which the ambivalent nature of Honor is shown as a reflection of the contradictions of the transition from myth to logos and the combination of moral, socio-political and economic aspects in its content. Scientific novelty. The article argues the idea that Honor, starting from the Homeric era of Ancient Greek culture, had an ambivalent character, containing the remnants of a mythological worldview and rationality that had just begun to form. This was reflected in the corresponding concepts and has been partially preserved to the present day. In particular, the article highlights the main term that was used to define Honor in Homer’s time: τῑμή, and shows the transformation of its meaning under the influence of objective historical changes in Ancient Greek culture. It also analyzes how certain aspects of the meaning of honor as a public «wealthy status» and as a feeling of «inner dignity» are connected; how the objective circumstances of the development of society influenced the ordering of the meaning of Honor; the relationship between Honor and dignity is analyzed using the example of the behavior of Homeric heroes; the sacred nature of Honor is proven. The similarity with the Greek tradition and the difference in the interpretation of Honor in Ancient Slavic chronicles and epics are shown. Conclusion. The mythological basis of Honor is manifested in the obligation of the subject to follow his fate, sometimes even contrary to moral norms; the social definition of the individual is determined not by internal spiritual properties and personal objective actions, but by external circumstances independent of its and always adequately conditioned.