Cognitive and ethical bases of discourse and discourse analysis

The definitions of discourse are varied, bearing both philosophical and philological features. Discourse is a means to establish social relationships as well as their result. Discourse analysis (including its varieties) presents new empirical opportunities for scholars, who are seeking understanding of social reality. Discourse analysis is a complex method that has a potential to be applied to various studies: sociology, political theory, philosophy, linguistics, cultural studies, history, etc. The capacity of discourse to constitute everyday life gives us an opportunity to interpret social reality, our experiences and meanings that are created within it. In social-constructionist epistemology the major role is given to these two perspectives: cognitive (where discourse is viewed as a mental phenomenon, represented in texts) and ethical (where discourse is viewed as a condition for social action). These are the aspects of understanding of discourse and the methods for its examination.