The Metaphysics of the Tragic in the Analysis of Bonapartism

DOI: 10.5176/2382-5677_PYTT14.11

Authors: Irina Protasenko

Abstract:

The author analyzes the concept of “the tragic” in socio-philosophical aspect. The tragic is conceived not only as a property of the individual, but also as a property of social consciousness. The state of society during conditions of system crisis is analyzed with the use of the concepts of the “personification of power,” and the “depersonalization of society.” In a “Bonaparte” situation, the leader personalizes public self-consciousness. The author emphasizes the paradoxical salutary nature of the Bonaparte dictatorship for society against the background of the unsatisfactory performance of failed politicians.

Keywords: Bonapartism; system crisis; power; authority; leadership; the tragic; myth; personification; depersonalization; public self-consciousness