Symbolic Capital: Interpretations and Types

Abstract

The modern intellectualization of labour has led to the emergence of a symbolic form of capital, the interpretations of which differ in meaning, which creates a problem of understanding both this phenomenon and social interaction. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to analyze and identify the most relevant definition of the concept of “symbolic capital”. The methodological basis of the study was made up of comparative and dialectical approaches implemented by analyzing the form and content of the concept under study, as well as in the dialectic of the development and existence of types of symbolic capital. The development of the hypothesis about the conditionality of various interpretations of the concept of “symbolic capital” by the authors’ research position is achieved by identifying various contexts of social interaction: economic (Zh. Baudrillard), general professional (informational) (E. Toffler) and social (P. Bourdieu). The article substantiates the position that the definition of the concept of “symbolic capital”, presented by P. Bourdieu in a social way, is the most accurate, general and relevant, since economics and professional activity are derived from social activity. Symbolic capital in the social interpretation made by P. Bourdieu reflects the empirical law of the functioning of society as a whole, since it establishes a regular process that characterizes social interaction in ontological aspects: mainly in the processes of structuring social interaction as a social exchange, recursive in nature. For the first time, six types of symbolic capital were identified: diffuse and objectified (P. Bourdieu), progressive and regressive, reflexive and nonreflexive (author’s), expressed in new concepts, which are defined. These types of symbolic capital as concepts have great methodological potential in determining the features and patterns of the functioning of the “symbolic capital” strategy. The results of the research can be applied in social theory and practice, social philosophy.