The sociological courses of A. S. Lappo-Danilevskii (based on archival research)

Abstract

The article is based on archival materials deposited in the fund of the academician Alexander Sergeyevich Lappo-Danilevskii (1863–1919) at the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Archive (Fund 113). In particular, the manuscript ‘On sociology. Lectures of 1902–1911’, ‘Scientific bases of sociology in their historical development. Lectures delivered at the St. Petersburg Society of Public Universities. 1911–1912’ and ‘On the theory of values. 1904–1918’. An attempt is made to reconstruct the content of Lappo-Danilevskii’s social science and sociology courses because, except for the course ‘Methodology of history’, they have not been published. The manuscripts are of a preparatory nature and amount to extracts from the books, short notes, and preparatory materials for classes. In his courses and ‘seminars’ Lappo-Danilevskii preferred historical presentation of materials, on the one hand, to better serve the educational goals and, on the other hand, avoids the dogma of the subject. The historian’s manuscripts help to reveal his philosophical preferences as well as contain the logical-mathematical formalization of social theories. The sociological courses of Lappo-Danilevskii allow for a more complete presentation of the scientist’s theoretical heritage and a better appreciation of its importance in early 20th century Russian social science. Refs 16.