Kochnova O. Charity as a sociocultural phenomenon (culturological analysis).

The comprehensive analysis of charity as a sociocultural phenomenon including culturological, historic, sociophilosophical and theoretical and methodological aspects is carried out in the thesis. For the first time in the Ukrainian culturological science charity is regarded as a sociocultural universal, its value and urgency is noted. The comparative analysis of charity categorical device has been carried out, it has been proved that charity is the superior form of human identity. It has been ascertained that forms and substance of charity are socially and economically agreed. Having studied the place and function of charity in the modern society it has been ascertained that the given social institution that functions as one of the constituent elements of the civil society exerts influence on social development. In the course of investigation it was drawn a conclusion that the value of modern forms of charity becomes clear not only if it matches to the ideas of democracy, but also by its practical humanity.