THE CONCEPT OF «SECURITY»: COMPETENCE, CULTURE AND THINKING

Abstract

The article analyses modern theoretical and methodological approaches to studying security as a socio-political phenomenon. The special importance of the need to study this area is proven. It is determined that the growth in the number of extreme and dangerous situations generates an increase in dangers and risks in all spheres of human activity, and a systematic study of hazardous factors and mechanisms for overcoming and reducing their negative consequences is of particular importance. The author focuses on the consideration of security not only in various scientific fields but also at the national and personal levels. It is proved that security is one of the most important values that ensure the free existence and development of the individual, society, and humanity. It creates harmony in relations between people, in cooperation with technology, the individual and the State, society, and between nations and States. The author emphasizes that security is studied as a social, cultural, value, and philosophical phenomenon, from the standpoint of scientific vision, through the peculiarities of the impact of risks on social life, as a field of educational and practical activity. It is determined that the category of ‘security’ is considered through the unity of integral security systems. The individual normative acts of the security sphere are indicated. The stages of historical development of the concept of ‘security’ are characterized. It is determined that security is one of the most important values and is closely related to danger, which is classified on various grounds. The author characterizes security as a function of many different factors, which primarily include threats; a desire to achieve a state of security by a person; and as a social and cultural asset. The signs and pedagogical conditions for the formation of a security culture as part of the general human culture, an indispensable component of professional culture, as a work of human consciousness are identified and characterized. The attention is focused on the peculiarities of risk-oriented thinking.