Sociological analysis of the intellectualisation of Belarusian society

  • Svetlana V. Kostyukevich Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 1 Surganava Street, 2 building, Minsk 220072, Belarus

Abstract

The key factors of intellectualisation of modern society are highlighted, the main among which are scientific and technological progress and the development of an innovative economy. It is shown that the process of intellectualisation can occur in two directions: by reducing the share of simple mental labour and by increasing the share of complex mental labour. Definitions of an intellectual and a scientist as persons engaged in complex mental work are given. It is noted that the process of intellectualisation of society is associated with the expansion of the share of intellectual labour, primarily complex intellectual labour. A theoretical analysis of its development in European history is carried out. The scientific relevance of studying the gap between mental labour and physical labour is substantiated. Mental work, unlike physical work, is associated with prestigious education, high status, social mobility, access to the elite, the possibility of higher earnings and a more positive attitude to this type of work. Based on the data of a sociological survey conducted in 2022 by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the perception of mental labour by the Belarusian population was analysed. Empirical indicators of quantitative measurement of mental labour have been identified. Using these indicators, the degree of intellectualisation of modern Belarusian society has been revealed. It is noted that during the 20th century, Belarus managed to intellectualise its society and achieve pan-European indicators for the number of educated people. The factors influencing the process of intellectualisation of the Belarusian society have been identified. It is concluded that the International Labour Organisation needs to record indicators of both physical and mental work. In addition, this organisation should see a social problem not only in the exploitation of physically working people, but also in the gap between the share of mental labour and the share of physical labour, since this situation can create tension in society.

Author Biography

Svetlana V. Kostyukevich, Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 1 Surganava Street, 2 building, Minsk 220072, Belarus

PhD (sociology); leading researcher at the department of sociology of the social sphere

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Published
2024-12-24
Keywords: intellectualisation of society, mental labour, the gap between mental labour and physical labour, empirical indicators of quantitative measurement of mental labour, factors of intellectualisation of society
How to Cite
Kostyukevich, S. V. (2024). Sociological analysis of the intellectualisation of Belarusian society. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology, 4, 88-99. Retrieved from https://journals.bsu.by/index.php/sociology/article/view/6633
Issue
No 4 (2024): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology
Section
Reflections on a given topic

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