Briefly describe the general characteristics of social consciousness.

The general characteristics of social consciousness refer to the essential characteristics that run through various forms of social consciousness, which are manifested in the following aspects:

1. Social consciousness depends on social existence, which is embodied in the following aspects: First, the content of social consciousness comes from social existence. Secondly, social consciousness develops with the development of social existence. Third, in class society, as a reflection of social existence, some forms of social consciousness have distinct class nature.

2. Social consciousness is relatively independent, which is embodied in the following aspects: First, social consciousness and social development are not completely synchronized. Secondly, the imbalance between social consciousness and the level of social and economic development. Third, the development of social consciousness has historical inheritance. Finally, various forms of social consciousness interact and influence each other.

3. Social consciousness has initiative. This is an important manifestation of the relative independence of social consciousness. The initiative of social consciousness is also called the reaction of social consciousness to social existence. There are two reactions: first, advanced social consciousness plays a positive role in promoting the development of social existence and promoting social development; Second, backward or reactionary social consciousness hindered the development of social existence and continued the process of historical development.

Extended data

The relationship between social existence and social consciousness, as the basic problem of Marxist historical materialism, and the relationship between thinking and existence, as the basic problem of philosophy, are in the same strain. The relationship between social existence and social consciousness is the basic basis for dividing historical materialism and historical idealism, which are fundamentally opposite.

Marxist philosophy holds that social existence determines social consciousness, and the decisive factor of social history is the development of productive forces, and people create history. This Marxist philosophy ended the idealism in the historical view and adhered to the truly dialectical and thorough materialism.

Social consciousness is the spiritual level of social life and the overall reflection of social existence. Including people's thoughts and customs, social psychology and so on. Social consciousness structure is based on social economic structure and restricted by social political structure. Social consciousness has its own structure, characteristics and functions.