Forms of Pseudo-Creation in the Context of Ersatz-Culture. Part 2. Epigonism

The object of the presented research is modern ersatz-culture, characterized by the prevalence of imitation, simulation and plagiarism processes that replace authentic creative activity aimed at creating unique and original works of art. The subject of the research is epigonism as a cultural phenomenon that manifests itself in many modes of creative being of the subject. Epigonism as a formal and mechanistic imitation of highly artistic models is justified as one of the forms of pseudo-creation. The research objective is to attempt a holistic understanding of the phenomenon of epigonism, to explicate its essential characteristics and philosophical foundations. The scientific novelty of the conducted research consists in a comprehensive philosophical analysis of epigonism as a cultural phenomenon and the development of a system of criteria for creative and epigonous imitation based on teleological (intentions), praxeological (process), anthropological (subject) and aesthetic (result) indicators. The paper offers a consolidated definition of epigonism, reveals the spheres of epigon activity and provides historical, philosophical and modern approaches to the essential separation of genuine creation and epigonism. In addition, a meta-classification of authentic creative imitation as pseudo-epigonism is being developed, which includes student, conscious, conceptual, competitive, and involuntary pseudo-epigonism. The research also distinguishes epigonism from related cultural forms based on categorical analysis, which include stylization, replication, imitation, simulation, copying, borrowing, plagiarism, reminiscence, and allusion. Similarly, the specific characteristics of the results of epigonal and, in general, pseudo-creative activity are revealed, which can be a fake (forgery), a surrogate (ersatz), a substitute, a pastiche and a simulacrum. The conclusion of the research briefly reveals the causes and dangers of the intensification of the pandemic of epigonism, as well as the positive aspects of the cultural phenomenon under study.