THE INTERACTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY IN THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND EDUCATIONAL CONCEPT OF SOFIIA RUSOVA

Abstract

The relevance of the article. The relevance of this study is determined by the need to comprehend the interaction between the individual and society in the context of contemporary socio-cultural transformations, globalization processes, and the reform of Ukraine’s educational system. At the center of modern educational policy is the issue of forming a free, responsible, and nationally conscious individual who is capable of active civic participation and self-realization. In this context, particular significance is attached to the philosophical and educational legacy of Sofia Rusova, in which the ideas of harmoniously combining the interests of the individual and society through education and upbringing are substantiated.

The scientific interest in the creative heritage of Sofia Rusova is due to her significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian pedagogical thought and the development of the concept of national education based on the principles of humanism, democracy, child-centeredness, and civic education. Many of her ideas concerning the social role of education, personal development, and the formation of civic consciousness remain relevant today, especially in the context of building a democratic society and strengthening national identity.

The relevance of this article is also determined by the need to identify the philosophical and educational foundations of the interaction between the individual and society in Sofia Rusova’s doctrine. Such an analysis makes it possible to gain a deeper understanding of the methodological foundations of contemporary educational processes and promotes the creative application of her ideas in educational and pedagogical practice. The study of this issue is of not only historical and pedagogical significance but also theoretical and practical importance for the development of modern education in Ukraine.

The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the philosophical and educational foundations of the interaction between the individual and society in the creative heritage of Sofiia Rusova, to reveal the role of education as a factor in the harmonious development of both the individual and society, and to determine the relevance of her ideas for contemporary educational theory and practice.

Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of this study lies in a comprehensive analysis of the problem of the interaction between the individual and society in the philosophical and educational doctrine of Sofiia Rusova. The research provides a holistic reconstruction of Rusova’s views on the relationship between personal development and social progress and reveals the role of education as a key mechanism for harmonizing the interests of the individual and society. The content of the philosophical and educational foundations of her concept is further clarified through the perspectives of humanism, child-centered education, national upbringing, and civic responsibility. Furthermore, the study advances the substantiation of the relevance of Sofiia Rusova’s ideas to contemporary processes of modernization of Ukrainian education, the development of civic culture, and the formation of national identity under conditions of ongoing social transformation.

Conclusions. The conducted research provides grounds for asserting that the problem of the interaction between the individual and society occupies a central place in the philosophical and educational doctrine of Sofiia Rusova. The thinker regarded the individual as the highest social value and education as the primary means of ensuring the harmonious integration of personal development and social progress.

It has been established that, in Rusova’s concept, the interaction between the individual and society is bilateral in nature: society influences the formation of a person’s worldview, moral qualities, and civic consciousness, while the individual, realizing his or her intellectual, spiritual, and creative potential, contributes to the development of society. Education serves as an important mediator in this process, being intended not only to transmit knowledge but also to cultivate a responsible citizen.

The study has revealed that national education occupies a special place in Rusova’s philosophical and educational views. She considered it a necessary condition for the formation of a spiritually rich, socially active, and nationally conscious individual. In her opinion, the educational process should be grounded in the native language, culture, historical traditions, and universal moral values.

It has been demonstrated that Sofiia Rusova’s ideas concerning the humanization of education, child-centered pedagogy, civic education, and national upbringing remain highly relevant in the context of contemporary reforms of Ukrainian education. Their creative interpretation and practical implementation contribute to the formation of individuals capable of self-realization, responsible participation in public life, and the promotion of democratic values. Therefore, the interaction between the individual and society in Sofiia Rusova’s philosophical and educational doctrine emerges as a fundamental basis of the social and educational process, ensuring the development of both the individual and society as a whole. Her theoretical legacy constitutes a significant methodological resource for further research in the fields of philosophy of education, pedagogy, and the social sciences and humanities.