This article examines the place and role of social philosophy in understanding and analyzing the social life of contemporary society. The author shows that with the profound transformations that occur in the social existence under the influence of scientific-technical progress, globalization, computerization, the emergence of a new economy, it is necessary to conceive and interpret these social phenomenon, which can be carried out through social philosophy - science about the most general laws regulating the organization, functioning and development of human society. It can provide us with true answers, diminish the feeling of certainty, enrich our knowledge with new plans, mitigate self-centeredness. The two paradigms for explaining what is happening today in the world are analyzed - The end of the history of F. Fukuyama and The clash of civilizations of S. Huntington, the conclusion being expressed that it is too early to definitively decide on one or the other way explanation of contemporary society. In conclusion, it is noted that the social philosophy of the third millennium must analyze not only the relations and connections of society with other spheres of objective reality that influence human existence, conceiving the general problems of the nature of nature and of man, but to study the specific models of manifestation of the human being. the social activity of the people, which are characteristic of them as a special form of existence of the world as a whole.