Artistic heritage and social capital in intercultural society Patrimonio artistico e capitale sociale nella società interculturale

The extreme latitude of the multi-disciplinary scenarios outlined by the social, humanistic and economic sciences – from the re-reading of the “classics” and the founding contributions accrued in philosophy, literature, anthropology and sociology – becomes the basis in formulating the working hypothesis of a new discipline. For the author, the sociological analysis of cultural heritage moves from the recognition of the sector as an all-embracing source of value – cultural, civic and economic – for the individual and for the nation. Nevertheless, it should be recognised how the radical changes associated with redefining judicial and organisational trends in the sector, with the impact of technologies, and more importantly, with the profound change in users, have essentially left intact - at the same time “democratising it” for new audiences – the most universal asset that artistic-cultural heritage possesses: that is to say, the ability to “consult” the social actors themselves in depth, referring them to a system of “aspirational” values. A strength – as is well-known – that both upholds and goes beyond the duties of daily life, including the ambivalent need for social “belonging” and “distinction” which is nourished by consuming art and culture. Hence, a sense of the “sacred”, albeit in lesser terms than in the past, emerges once more in cultural heritage. The direction it takes is towards the spiritualisation of existence and is such for an increasingly varied number of social sectors, which nowadays are “fashioned” for the enjoyment of culture owing to improved levels of education and available skills. Cultural heritage can consequently be seen as a relational resource and a “social capital” ante litteram: due to the participatory role of culture, when real “citizenship” assets are consumed, they create a new source of social values, which are cohesive and create community interaction for today’s social actors. Riassunto L’estrema latitudine degli scenari multi-disciplinari delineati dalle scienze sociali, umanistiche ed economiche ? a partire dalla rilettura dei “classici” e dei contributi fondativi maturati in ambito filosofico, letterario, antropologico e sociologico – diventa l’orizzonte di partenza per la formulazione delle ipotesi di lavoro di una nuova disciplina. Nell’ intenzione dichiarata dell’ autore, l’analisi sociologica dei beni culturali muove dal riconoscimento del settore come fonte di valore a tutto tondo – culturale, civico ed economico ? per i singoli e per il sistema-paese. D’altra parte, occorre riconoscere quanto i radicali cam