Aesthetics of Identity: Philosophical and Anthropological Horizons of National-Patriotic Education through Design

Abstract

The article offers a philosophical and anthropological reflection on the phenomenon of the aesthetics of identity in the context of national-patriotic education through the lens of design. It substantiates that contemporary design functions not only as a sphere of artistic creativity but also as a cultural and value-laden space in which national meanings, symbols, and forms of collective memory are constructed. The aim of the study is to reveal the methodological and philosophical foundations of integrating aesthetic and design practices into the process of shaping national identity among young people. The research employs an interdisciplinary approach combining philosophical-anthropological, cultural, and pedagogical analysis. Hermeneutic methodology is applied to interpret the visual codes and symbols of national culture; phenomenological analysis is used to explore the experience of aesthetic perception; and an axiological approach helps identify the value orientations of patriotic education. Additionally, content analysis of contemporary educational and design practices is conducted.

The findings demonstrate that design can function as a tool of cultural mediation between individual and collective levels of identity, facilitating a harmonious synthesis of the aesthetic and ethical dimensions of patriotism. The scientific novelty of the study lies in providing a philosophical justification of design as an anthropological environment in which the individual’s self-identification is actualized through the aesthetic forms of national culture. The practical significance of the research consists in its applicability for the development of educational programs aimed at fostering aesthetic culture and national consciousness among students of art-related specializations, as well as for cultural projects oriented toward strengthening national identity.