The article examines the concept of aristocracy from the standpoint of its significance in the history of European culture. The principle of aristocracy sanctions the hierarchical structure, puts the “great and marvelous deeds” of the best people in the focus of culture. The figures of aristocrats appear to culture as a kind of actors, carefully selected and prepared for this role, revealing in their performance the human potential, life of the highest account.
Keywords
aristocracy; mass and elite; hierarchy of values; tradition; human being and culture.