Truth as a social communication category in the context of "folk philosophy"

Abstract

Based on paroemia analysis, this paper is the research of generalized ideas of the Ukrainian people about the truth reflected in «folk philosophy». Paroemia is viewed from the standpoint of the social communication approach as a meaningful communication unit, relatively stable and meaningful message that carries information about historical and social experience of the nation, its psychology and worldviews as well as the nation’s reflections on the social reality of different historical periods. The object of the study is truth as a phenomenon and social and communication category, whereas the subject is the essential features, conceptual characteristics and categorical properties of truth, reflected in the «folk philosophy». The research material involved proverbs and sayings with the word and concept «truth» and its antonyms «falsehood» and «lies». The research methodology of the study relied on analysis (conceptual, categorical, comparative), generalization and synthesis. Paroemia units with the word «truth» and its antonyms «falsehood» and «lies» are classified based on semantic, conceptual and categorical features. The study reveals that in «folk philosophy», truth is presented as a vital human need and is characterized as eternal, fair, pure, light, sincere, straightforward and invariable; it can neither be hidden nor defeated, as it is strong and incompatible with lies. The paroemia units, as constructs of the nation’s conscience, reflect truth as the category of kindness – a moral, ethical and functional category. The paroemia units reflect the subjective manipulation of truth and its consequences in interpersonal and social interaction. The research also focuses on the social and communication functions of the paroemia – informative and communicative. It concludes that in paroemia, truth appears as an axiological, philosophical and social communication category and is inherently a category of kindness. Paroemia also reflects a certain crisis of truth and the spread of falsehood in social interaction. The paroemia units reveal predominantly negative attitudes to untruth and its varieties (falsehood, lies) as well as relevant social consequences (injustice, social and psychological destruction).