THE THEORY STRUCTURE IN MODERN HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE (AS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE CONCEPTS OF THE CAUSES OF THE RED ARMY DEFEAT IN THE INITIAL PERIOD OF THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR): PHILOSOPHICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Introduction. The article considers some particular concepts of the causes of the Red Army defeat in 1941, which have been formed in the historiography of the USSR, Russia and beyond since the 20th century until now. These theories are studied as varieties of I. Lakatos's research programs, which have some basic concepts (“solid core”) and consisting of the hypotheses “protective belt”. The author points out heuristic potential of each concept, its strengths and weaknesses in the methodological aspect. The aim of the study is to consider the concepts of the causes of the Red Army defeats in 1941 in modern historiography on the basis of the model of I. Lakatos's research programs; compare these theoretical constructs with each other. Methods The author uses the following general scientific methods in the study: modeling, structuralfunctional, systemic and comparative analysis. The model of I. Lakatos's research program is applied. As a means of cognition, counterfactual modeling of the past is involved...