Life style: to a modern conceptualization of the concept

The article analyzes the evolution of theoretical and methodological approaches to the concept of “lifestyle” from Veblen's identification of lifestyle with consumption aimed at “demonstration” and “increasing prestige” to its modern interpretation as a choice determined by the interests and values of an individual, his resources and the impact of the external environment. A modern conceptualization of the concept of “lifestyle” is proposed, based on the synthesis of the approaches of P. Bourdieu and H.-P. Muller. The following are taken as a basis: a formalized description of the lifestyle of P. Bourdieu through a system of social practices, differentiation of social groups based on differences in the practices used, Mueller's semantic emphasis on value orientations that explain individual preferences for choosing some social practices over others in conditions of resource constraints that correct the needs of social actors. The proposed conceptual approach allows us to define a lifestyle as a set of social practices, on the one hand, reproduced by an individual on the basis of existing needs, social attitudes and resources aimed at following the system of norms and values generally accepted in this social community in various fields of activity (economic, consumer, household, leisure), and on the other - practices subjectively selected by an individual on the basis of value orientations, which gives originality to the lifestyle of individuals or groups against the background of generally accepted features and properties of existing social practices.