On Atmospheric Turn in Social Sciences

Abstract

The article introduces a special theme of the issue on the “Anthropology of Affective Atmospheres”, featuring contributions by S.V. Sokolovskiy, D.A. Radchenko, S. Runkel, and an interview with T. Griffero. Readers of this thematic issue are acquainted with the new area of philosophical and social research, which until now has practically not attracted the attention of Russian anthropologists, despite the fact that the so-called “atmospheric turn” has deeply influenced quite a wide range of social sciences and humanities, including anthropology. The main goal of this issue of the journal is to familiarize Russian anthropologists and ethnologists with theoretical and methodological foundations of (affective) atmospheres research and specific case studies in this field. The main task of this introduction to the topic is to review relevant concepts, to recommend the most influential publications, the familiarity with which is expected to facilitate the introduction of these subjects into field ethnography programs, and to provide a brief overview of the current “atmospheric” research in the country.