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In the crucial 90s of the twentieth century, the removal of the ideological framework caused a sharp public interest in esoteric culture. The scientific analysis of the causes and conditions of a sharp manifestation of interest in the esoteric tradition requires a specific historical approach, which considers these problems in the context of the sociocultural characteristics of society. Society has embarked on the path of realizing esoteric knowledge, and quite selectively resorting to its values. Most of the population in one way or another has incorporated the esoteric tradition into the personal form of culture. At the same time, people engaged in intellectual activities claimed its psycho-physiological tendencies (yoga, qigong, Tibetan arts) and the values of esoteric philosophy (theosophy, Agni Yoga). The goal of mastering these and many other practices is the acquisition of quiet thought processes, psychophysiological recovery, the achievement of longevity. Another part of the population has directed its interest in the occult directions of the esoteric tradition (different types of magic, palmistry, astrology), which are in demand in order to achieve their own egoistic needs. At the present stage, a certain “result” of such a surge of interest of the population at a crucial moment for the great state to heterogeneous layers of esoteric knowledge has been formed. How to achieve success, love, justice and other high universal values taught by fortunetellers, witches, magicians – adherents of all degrees of dedication. The demand for modern times in the majority of its vulgar layers of esoteric knowledge is a bright indicator of the decadent tendencies of the spiritual life of modern society.

Purpose. Transformation processes in the Russian society over the past two decades have caused both positive and painful changes in the social, economic, political and spiritual life of the country. New socio-economic conditions resulting from the reform of science, education and culture determine the scientific interest of researching the role and place of the modern Russian intelligentsia in Russia’s socio-political life. The subject of analysis is the ontological, epistemological and axiological patterns of the influence of the Russian intelligentsia on socio-political processes. The purpose of the article is to study the essential characteristics of the intelligentsia as a special social class of people and the peculiarities of its relationship with the authorities and broad sections of the population of the country. Methodology. The methodological basis of the research was a general scientific method of analysis and synthesis, as well as interdisciplinary and comparative approaches. Results. Based on the above methods, the author comes to the conclusion that historically the intelligentsia in Russia plays a special role in the socio-political, cultural, moral life. Socio-political ideas that originated in the intelligentsia, through a certain period of time, inevitably influenced the mass mood. In the late XX – early XXI century, the prestige of the intelligentsia was seriously undermined. The author believes that the movement along the path of progressive development, sustainable social and economic development for modern Russia is impossible without strengthening the social status of this stratum of people. Practical implications. The results of the research can be applied in courses of philosophy, sociology and culturology.