Scientific Traditions and Continuity in Psychology: Problems and Prospects for Their Solution

The article, prepared as a discussion of the publication by Yu.N. Oleinik and A.L. Zhuravlev, provides an analysis of the main provisions and ideas proposed by the authors in the article. It is proposed to consider tradition as the most important component of the intra-scientific factor in the development of psychological know-ledge. The relevance and timeliness of posing and discussing the problem of continuity of scientific knowledge in the context of modern developments in the history of psychology is emphasized. Insufficient theoretical deve-lopment of the concepts of “tradition” and “continuity” is noted. The theoretical scheme for identifying, recor-ding and structuring scientific traditions proposed by the authors is analyzed and its advantages are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of scientific schools and traditions as mechanisms for transmitting knowledge, differences in the methods of scientific transmission and institutional forms of continuity. In conclusion, the need for further research of scientific traditions is emphasized, taking into account the socio-cultural, political-ideological and mental conditions of their formation and existence.