The theory and methodology of history is a systemprinciples, procedures and methods of using and shaping the methods of historical study. This system is characterized by a rather complex structure in terms of manifestation and content. The methodology of studying history has, in many cases, opposite approaches to research. At the same time, the differences between methods are determined by differences related to the comprehension, understanding, outlook of researchers, as well as the conditions of their individual and social being.
The methodology of history in development has gone through three stages:
- The classical stage is characterized by a clearthe opposition of the object and subject of knowledge. At this stage, the historical process is understood as completely "transparent" for the subject, it is authentic and will be completely viewed exclusively by rational methods of the human mind. In connection with these provisions, a conviction is formed in the omnipotence of science, idealization is formed in the scientific reflection of reality, faith in the possibility of transforming the reality of history along a purposeful, rational, systematic type, a belief in historical progress. Thus, it becomes possible to establish things in a reasonable manner, on the basis of scientific understanding of what is happening.
- At the nonclassical stage, the methodology of historypassed in the European consciousness in the second half of the 19th century, in the Russian one - at the end of the 20th century. This stage is characterized by the loss of unanimity in the orientation toward trouble-free and universal scientific tools, science as a whole, with adequate and comprehensive knowledge of the process and restructuring it into an "intelligent" one from "unreasonable", with the result for all people of a "kingdom of freedom, reason and happiness." All the variety of directions and concepts that includes the methodology of history at this stage with a certain convention is divided into two currents: the science-centric (Soviet Marxist) and the more scientific (based on the philosophical principles of life.
Being in the process of approval and constructionopposite and mutually exclusive, the above-described currents are less likely to be exclusive, exclusive, authentic research. Along with this, the fundamental paradigms of historical consciousness change. At the nonclassical stage, thinking suffers significant transformations.
Thus, a modernpost-nonclassical methodology of history as a clearly expressed synergistic (jointly formed effort of God and man), multidimensional, non-linear, pluralistic structure.
Specificity of the system is determined by such questions as:
- subject;
- boundaries and possibilities of comprehending historical reality;
- range of applicability and features of the ratio of rational, scientific, discursive and intuitive (unscientific) forms, methods, means of understanding the process;
- the role and place of understanding and explanation of scientific study of historical reality and its empathy.
The fundamental importance is attached to the fact thatat the post-non-classical stage there is a very different understanding of historical reality itself. It is used as a traditional interpretation of it as an objective and unified, independent of the consciousness and will of the subject of the natural historical process, having a global character, and an explanation of individual human existence as an integral, authentic form in historical existence. At the same time, the nature of the understanding of the subject determines the structure of the methodology of history, and the way it is involved in the process of historical research.
