Методология истории А. С. Лаппо-Данилевского и современная западная теория истории
Lappo-Danilevskiy’s Historical Methodology and Modern Western Historical Theory

Summary/Abstract: It is not only the contribution to scholarly knowledge of the time that is taken into consideration when estimating a value of a thinker’s legacy, but also successive generations’ demand for his works and concepts. A. S. Lappo-Danilevskii’s legacy, particularly his “Metodologiia Istorii” (“Historical Methodology”) has become a classic in Russian history studies. References to “Metodologiia Istorii” have recently become an integral part of any research on historical theory. Western concepts of historical philosophy and methodology continue to develop in isolation from Russian scholarly tradition, grounded in the theory of classic European thinkers. This article shows the extent to which A. S. Lappo-Danilevskii’s attitudes correspond to developmental trends in Western historical theory; in other words, to what extent his legacy remains relevant today. This comparative analysis reveals the similarities of Russian methodological approaches to basic principles of both European continental and analytical historical philosophy. Thus a “scholarly dialogue” can be posited (taking account of the long delay) between A. S. Lappo-Danilevskii and the leaders of contemporary western historical theory (R. Aron, A. Danto, A. Megill, F. R. Ankersmit, P. Burke, J. L. Gaddis et al.). Historical epistemology today argues against looking at historical methodology in only an applied sense and requires it to be contextualized within historical philosophy. That is exactly how the main work of A. S. Lappo-Danilevskii is organized. His work goes far beyond historical methodology itself, extending the boundaries of historical theory up to that of historical philosophy (in its epistemological version).

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