Yuri Sapelkin
Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
ORCID ID 0000-0003-1102-4393
DOI:
Keywords: Viennese modernism, “language criticism”, linguistic crisis, discussion, skepticism..
Abstract.
The article explores the issue of the social significance of the word. In the course of studying language as the primary means of communication, alarming tendencies regarding its ability to distort objective reality are traced. The paper examines the main ideas of the classics of Viennese modernism, that as early as a hundred years ago foresaw social challenges and threats posed by manipulative technologies built on the language of hatred. In particular, the works of the founder of “language criticism” F. Mauthner are analyzed, the connection between his ideas and the philosophy of empiriocriticism developed by E. Mach is identified, and the satirical discourse of “language criticism” in the works of K. Kraus is examined. Their writings demonstrate that linguistic communication has become a regulator of interpersonal relations in society, an important factor influencing people’s views, and a decisive element in shaping their behavior. The problem of “language criticism” raised by Austrian philosophers has not lost its relevance as evidenced by the Russian-Ukrainian war, which was caused among other factors, by the aggressive language policy of the Kremlin.
Author‘s biography.
Yuri Sapelkin
Ph.D. (Sociology), senior researcher,
Institute of Sociology,
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
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PDF (in Ukrainian)
The article was received by the editorial office on 26.01.2026.
The article was accepted for publication after review on 29.01.2026.
The article was published on 08.07.2026.
Vol 29 No 1 (2026)
Section: THEORY AND HISTORY OF CULTURE.