THE GENESIS OF COGNITIVE WARFARE: HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE AND CONTEMPORARY PARADIGMS

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution and current state of cognitive warfare as a strategic dimension of global security. In the context of a globalized information society, the author explores how traditional paradigms of conflict are shifting toward a «fifth domain» of warfare where the human mind–both conscious and subconscious–becomes the primary battlefield. The study examines the transformation of communicative processes, where rapid information dissemination and manipulative digital technologies have replaced conventional kinetic force as the most effective means of undermining national sovereignty.

The theoretical framework traces the lineage of cognitive influence from ancient stratagems to modern neuroscience. By analyzing Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” and the “Thirty-Six Stratagems”, the author demonstrates that contemporary cognitive operations are digital reinterpretations of classical deception and psychological manipulation. The research highlights the technological trajectory that enabled mass cognitive influence, from the printing press to the current era of Artificial Intelligence and social media algorithms.

Special attention is given to the concepts of «intelligentized warfare» and «reflexive control,» which form the basis of what is termed the «war of cogs.» The article analyzes the strategic approaches of global actors, specifically the Russian Federation's use of disinformation to erode social cohesion and the People's Republic of China's integration of AI and neurotechnology to achieve cognitive dominance.

Protecting national identity, historical memory, and social trust against «stratagems of the 21st century» is essential for survival. The paper posits that in the modern era, victory is determined not by territorial conquest, but by the ability to maintain cognitive autonomy and critical thinking in the face of total algorithmic manipulation.