The historical genetic method as one of the main in the knowledge of the past

Like other branches of knowledge, history as a science has its own definition, subject and object of study, goals, as well as methods and methods.

Definition

If we talk about definition, then by historical science is meant a system of knowledge that collects specific information and comprehends the life of human society at different stages of its existence. Hence it follows that the object of the study of historical science is precisely all mankind, its individual collections and all of it as a whole. And the subject of study can be considered every separate civilization or every single people, from the moment of its origin, the first mention of it, and ending with the moment of disappearance or degeneration into something new. At the same time, this society is not considered separately, but in interrelations with other societies and civilizations.

Typology of methods of studying history as a science

Having in its arsenal various methods of research, history seeks maximum objectivity of its conclusions and conclusions. Therefore, studying this or that era, each scientist uses not one, but several methods. The most common are:

• A comparative-historical method;
• The historical genetic method;
• Historical and typological;
• Method of chronological research;
• Historical description.

About methods in detail

Each of them has its own characteristic features, so that together they give an objective picture of the historical period under study.

When applying the comparative-historical expert compares, compares the periods of development of one culture, as well as several cultures that succeeded each other. This approach is also called the diachronic method.

With a different approach, cultures coexisting, cultures-contemporaries or their separate manifestations are compared - this is the so-called synchronic method.

1. In historical science, one of the most popular is the historical genetic method. It is of interest that the studied reality, together with its properties, functions, features, is revealed in the context of time, against the background of its historical movement. Its peculiarity lies precisely in the fact that the genetic method makes it possible to reproduce more naturally the believable object of research. This is achieved by a consistent penetration of the past in order to identify the causes of already existing facts, accomplished events or phenomena. There is another nuance explaining the commitment of historians to this method. In order to reveal, in the process of historical development, the correlation of personal, subjective factors and objective, such as the logic of political, ideological and class struggle, the development of the economy, it is necessary to apply the same historical genetic method.

2. The task of the chronological method is to study how historical objects originated, developed, and evolved in accordance with the chronological sequence.

3. An example of the implementation of the method of historical description can be considered such a situation: found a written historical source. When studying it, it is necessary to describe it, answering the questions about when the source was printed or written by hand. Place of writing of the monument? Author of the work? What was used by the author as the primary source, what material was the basis of the monument? Is it original or is it a copy, but the source is currently missing? Is the source really worthy of a relationship and to what extent?

Thus, the methods of historical science are an excellent tool for studying the past of their country, their people, as well as the past of all world civilizations. Together with the investigative mind, honesty and integrity of the researcher, he can become a reliable support in finding answers to the most intricate questions. After all, to find the truth, it is sometimes not enough to have a set of knowledge. It is also necessary to be able to apply them in a certain sequence and combinations. The historical-genetic method teaches this and allows you to look at the subject of research from all sides.