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Abstract. The concept of “social inertia” is now rarely used in philosophical and sociological discourse, whereas in the works of twentieth-century philosophers. it was found in various contexts, albeit mostly with negative connotations. Since this concept was most often mentioned by American philosophers, the emphasis was placed on analyzing the approaches of the classics of American philosophy (J. Royce, J. Dewey, F. Jameson), but also to prominent Russian philosophers (F. Stepun, A. Smirnov). Some sociological approaches to this concept are proposed (R. Niebuhr, J. Spickard), elements of which can bear fruit when applied to contemporary social phenomena. Social inertia is characterized as a mechanism for preserving tradition in conditions of social fluctuations, civilizational upheavals or abrupt changes in the cultural paradigm (aggravation of conflicts, socio-political transformations, landslide migration processes). The identity of a cultural subject is characterized as social (R. Niebuhr). Perceived through a system of social relationships, the bearer of cultural and religious traditions is subordinated to an appropriate ethical system based on tradition and retained by its inertia. It is based on social ties (mutual correlation) and social responsibility. Developing the concept of social inertia connected with the concepts of tradition, conservatism, nation, and sustainable development can provide a powerful methodological tool for the philosophical analysis of ongoing changes in the public consciousness and the political paradigm. New concepts (social sustainability, cultural inertia) are also proposed for a theoretical assessment of current social changes taking place, for example, in the Middle East, and the possibility of their prediction.
Keywords: social inertia, tradition, conservatism, nation, sustainable development, the American philosophy, Russian philosophy, sociology.