How realistic is it to “get rid of stereotypes”? (polemic notes in the margins of publications on the major issues of the theory of intercultural communication)

Abstract

The article briefly discusses a number of ideas that are accepted in many versions of the theory of intercultural communication, as well as in a number of humanities, as a rule, as axiomatic and, therefore, fundamental for in-depth reasoning in these problem fields. One of the possible explanations of the current widespread state of affairs is discussed. The article analyses the reasons for the active use of the discussed ideas in the study of general and particular theoretical and applied issues of the theory of intercultural communication. Attention is drawn to the potential danger of the described aberrations for both the theoretical and applied studies within the field of intercultural communication, as well as for real-life intercultural contacts. There are reasons why extremely general in content and in form, accentuated humanistic recommendations, which are aimed at optimizing intercultural interaction, are, in fact, not very effective in reality and mislead in good faith various categories of potential consumers of such recommendations. An attempt is made to find a constructive solution to current theoretical and applied problems.