Contemporary historical epistemology. An analytical review of research directions

The article analyzes the modern historical epistemology as a topical research direction of scholar activities in historical context. It emerged at the end of the 20th century and is associated with the names of L. Daston, P. Galison, H.-J. Rheinberger, Y. Renn, B. Latour, I. Hacking and others. The analysis includes three main sections. In the first section, the author distinguishes within the research field different versions of historical epistemology. In the second section, the author clarifies the contexts of the emergence of modern historical epistemology as well as its structure, which determines the diversity of specific topics. There are five contexts described: the historical, the interdisciplinary, the non-classical epistemologies, the ontological and the practice turn contexts. There are four thematic areas distinguished: the history of epistemic concepts, the history of scientific objects, the macro and micro history of science and the history of styles of scientific thinking. In the third section, the author describes the problems of modern historical epistemology, among which are contextual issues determining the place of contemporary historical epistemology in current discussions, and reflexive issues associated with the identification, interdisciplinarity, and consideration of the basic principles of this research direction. As a result, the author suggests treating the modern historical epistemology as an open project.