The book presents a critical analysis of some current trends in religious studies, which, in the author’s opinion, are influenced by the reception of methodological relativism that characterizes postmodernism of the second half of the 20th century. The main object of criticism is a conception, typical for postmodern discourse in religious studies, according to which such a phenomenon as religion had not existed until Western scholars «constructed» it, and therefore the traditional science of religion should be understood as a discipline that, instead of describing reality, discusses fictions invented by itself. Criticizing this position, the author shows that, firstly, such statements are incorrect from the historical point of view (i.e. the notions of «religion» and «religions», let alone the very phenomenon of religion, had existed long before the rise of the science of religion as such) and, secondly, the idea of «constructing religion» is based on a methodological error (whether intentional or not), which consists in identifying a phenomenon with its examination on a scientific and theoretical level.
This book is addressed to scholars in religious and cultural studies, social scientists, and postgraduate students in the respective scientific fields, as well as to everyone interested in religious studies.
The monograph deals with analysis, synthesis and critique of the practical development and implementation of Russia’s scientific policy before the global financial crisis of 2008. The study was conducted in view of current practices of interaction between governments and science in the abroad, which allowed to assess the feasibility of their “export” and adaptation to the Russian conditions. The monograph has been prepared from the research performed by the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge as part of the program for basic research in the Higher School of Economics.
This book is intended for representatives of legislative and executive authorities, academic and business communities, teachers, graduate and undergraduate in socio-economics and humanities, as well as Russian and foreign researchers.
What is the relevance of the genre of review to the development of the norms of scholarly criticism? What is the extent of a review’s independence and what is the impact of reviews on emerging research trends and the redefining of subdisciplinary boundaries? Are the reviewing practices influenced by external, non-academic factors? What is the place of reviews in the structure of academic communication and how is reviewing built into educational process? Finally, how to write a review and how do iconic scholars write reviews? These and many other questions are considered in the book. The book is intended both for students of philology and Russian community of humanities scholars in general.
The monograph, prepared by the international team of authors, researches and develops criteria for assessing the contribution of Russian and Polish social and humanities disciplines (in the context of scientific schools, research areas, and prominent scientists) in the development of the humanities and the mechanisms of reception and transmission of scientific knowledge in the modern world. The monograph features a multidisciplinary approach and a broad timeframe (from the 18th century — the period of formation of national science — till the post-Soviet years). In the book, leading scientists from Russia and Poland introduce their main social-humanitarian disciplines: classics, history, philology, sociology, psychology, economics, law, and philosophy.
This book is intended for a wide range of researchers in the humanities, in particular for specialists in the history of science and the history of ideas; university teachers, professors, undergraduate and graduate students.
