Historical Science of the Problem of Cognition in the Context of the “Historian – Source” Interaction

This paper aims to explore the relationship between the “historian-source” in the context of the theory of knowledge. The analytical interest in such issues necessitates the examination of approaches to the interaction between historians and historical sources. Employing comparative and systemic methodologies, this study analyzes various interpretations of sources and the formation of historical knowledge, placing particular emphasis on constructivist and postmodernist paradigms. The paper investigates issues of source representativeness, the challenges of criticism and analysis, and examines the role of the subjective factor in the process of cognition of historical reality. It concludes that addressing the “historian – source” problem necessitates an integrated approach that considers diverse theoretical concepts and methodological principles. It is emphasized that in most of these frameworks, the historian assumes an active role in this process, contrasting with the outdated notion of a merely descriptive position where the historian passively adheres to the content of the informational document.