The views of Yu.K. Pletnikov on the relationship between formational and civilizational approaches in the context of academic discussions of the second half of the 20th century

Abstract

The article deals with the theoretical views of Yu.K. Pletnikov, one of the prominent scien­tists in the field of social philosophy (historical materialism) in the context of the discus­sions that took place in the academic environment in the second half of the 20th century. It is shown that the theory of socio-economic formations was at the center of the discus­sions of the 60–70s. A number of authors proposed a new, modern for those times, under­standing of the evolution of K. Marx’s views on the formational division of the history of society, which was then subjected to harsh and generally unfair criticism. Further, the theoretical activity of Yu.K. Pletnikov after his arrival at the Institute of Philosophy in the mid-70s is considered. Yu.K. Pletnikov made a great contribution to a systematic ex­position of the theory of historical materialism, including a new understanding of the for­mational teachings of K. Marx. In particular, he substantiated the need to consider the for­mational and civilizational approaches in their organic connection and interdependence, opposed the displacement of formational issues to the periphery of scientific research. Yu.K. Pletnikov consistently adhered to the positions of creative Marxism throughout his entire creative activity. Particular attention is drawn to the relevance of his philosophical views, according to which the further development of Marxist socio-philosophical theory requires not only critical assimilation, “dialectical removal” of many achievements of non-Marxist scientists and their inclusion in the theoretical building of Marxism, but also its enrichment with new ideas and new issues in close connection with the search for solu­tions to the most complex problems of the modern multipolar world.