Institute of Sociology
of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology
of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Malinkin A.N. The Significance of National-Cultural Social Thought for the Historiography of Russian Sociology. In: Sounding Meanings: The World of Images and Ideas. Cultural Almanac ...



Malinkin A.N. The Significance of National-Cultural Social Thought for the Historiography of Russian Sociology. In: Sounding Meanings: The World of Images and Ideas. Cultural Almanac / ed. and compiler S. Ya. Levit. – Moscow; St. Petersburg: Center for Humanitarian Initiatives, 2025. P. 457-478.
ISBN 978-5-98712-957-9
DOI нет

Posted on site: 31.12.25

 


Abstract

The article calls for the development of new standards for the historiography of Russian sociology, based on the priority of national-cultural social thought. To develop such standards, the principles of traditional methodology established within the Russian sociological community are critically analyzed. Their inherent narrowness and inadequacy are demonstrated, primarily due to the scientistic worldview prevalent among Russian specialists in the social sciences and humanities. An alternative methodology for studying the history of Soviet and post-Soviet sociology is proposed, which can be conventionally called "pro-cultural." Its key concept is "national-cultural social thought," shaped by the country's actual history, its distinctive traditions and values, and the specific features of its civilizational development. An essential and fundamental element of national-cultural social thought is that expressed in the religious (or anti-religious) and philosophical views on society held by theologians, philosophers, poets, writers, publicists, literary critics, artists, and others. It is argued that sociology cannot and should not be seen in its history as a core surrounded by national-cultural social thought, as if it were an insignificant periphery. Quite the contrary, the emergence and development of sociology as a science in each country, especially Russia, must be understood based on the specific development of its national-cultural social thought and as an essential part of it. To develop new historiographical standards, it is necessary to reconsider the value of both "social thought" and "sociology." This involves shifting priorities in attitudes toward them and their relationship, not replacing "sociology" with "social thought."

 

Content (in russ)


↑