Masculinity as a cultural and philosophical construct of postmodern society

Objective of the study is to identify the ontological specificity of masculinity as an indicator of cultural and philosophical transformations in postmodern society. Methodological basis of the study The approach to detail the postmodern concept of masculinity is based on the idea that contemporary attempts to advance cultural and philosophical theory in new directions optimally correlate with G. Marcuse’s critical theory of: 1) the postulate of the importance of human interrelations with nature in ecological, material and technological aspects; 2) predestination the project of the current modernity has a destructive relationship with nature. A critical theory of masculinity as a technology is formulated, which goes beyond traditional approaches to gender relations, and focuses on the issues related to the individual’s positioning in relation to the natural elements.   Results of the study. The postulate of the essential importance of professional activity in the cultural and philosophical study of masculinity is argued. In light of the declining importance of paid work for the forming the male identity, it is proved that the masculinity critical theory provides an expert assessment of correlations between professional activity and technology as syncretic mechanisms of individual’s interaction with nature, in particular, in the format of male physicality. As a construct of postmodern society, masculinity qualifies as a means of ensuring the men’s economic and ontological security. Following G. Marcuse’s postulate about new perception of reality and technologies that transform professional activity into a “game”, the prospects for overcoming masculinity and moving towards a receptive attitude to both nature and the complexity of postmodern everyday life are established.   Prospects of the study. The perspective of considering environmental issues provides an opportunity to re-evaluate the relationship between masculinity and the natural aspects of everyday life. The postulate that gender is, among other things, a process of interaction with nature, a means by which nature is expressed in culture, requires elaboration. The widespread understanding of gender differences partially reflects this dynamic in a variety of ways. However, in sociological and cultural-philosophical studies, this essential aspect of gender is ignored. Physicality manifests nature within the framework of gender, determining one of the direct entry points of natural forces into the social and cultural-philosophical sphere.