Phenomenon of Madness as a Subject of Culturological Research
This article provides a summary of the main discursive practices (linguistic, religious, legal, scientific, artistic, etc.) in which the phenomenon of madness appears. The author analyzes the semantic field of the conceptual sphere of madness, its historical comprehension. This subject needs a deep culturological research. The term “madness” is considered as a polydiscursive notion, used in various areas of social life and research practice (including the linguistic, philosophical, literary, medical, psychological, theological and other aspects). The article presents a review of major cultural and philosophical concepts which formed the basis for the scientific theory of madness (Freudianism, Freudo-Marxism, structuralism, psychoanalysis, schizoanalysis). This theory mainly set the direction of the creative quest in the contemporary art. The emphasis in this article is put on the postmodern discourse's leading role in the interpretation of the madness phenomenon and on the role of the culturological approach in studying and understanding of this phenomenon in the current cultural context. The crucial role of literature in development of this subject is undeniable. However, the author proposes to use the modern cinematograph for the main empiric material, because it provides the most expressive representation of the motive of madness in all its aspects.