THE RECEPTION OF THE CIVILIZATION IMAGE OF THE “WEST” IN THE HISTORIOGRAPHIC HERITAGE OF VLADYMYR ANTONOVYCH

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to investigate the perception of the image of the “West” in the civilizational views and ideas of Volodymyr Antonovych in the general context of the genesis of the Ukrainian civilizational thought of the 19th century. The research methodology is primarily based on the principles of historicism, systematicity, scientificity, objectivity, as well as the use of general scientific (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and special-historical (historical-genetic, historical-typological, historical-systemic) methods. The scientific novelty lies primarily in the fact that for the first time we approach the problem of Volodymyr Antonovych's ideas about the “West” as a separate, self-sufficient problem. The article offers a clear vision of the civilizational views and ideas of this scientist. Conclusions. The article examines the views of the scientist on the issue of penetration of European influences into Ukraine.Volodymyr Antonovych’s contribution to the change in the Ukrainian intellectuals’ Slavic identity into European has been investigated. From this point of view, the main research papers and journalistic works by Volodymyr Antonovych on historical topics have been analyzed. Special attention has been paid to V. Antonovych’s diligent desire to conceal his views on civilizational identity. Therefore, a significant place in the source base of the study is occupied by the memories of students and contemporaries about the historian’s views on the European factor. Also, an important role in the article has been given to the analysis of V. Antonovych’s correspondence with his friends. As there wasn’t any cencorship in the letters, the scientist far more openly disclosed his views on the civilizational affiliation of Ukraine here, than in published scientific works or other public texts. The article proves the leading role of V. Antonovych in the process of introducing European identity to Ukrainian historians. This result has been achieved by the historian, not by directly proving the thesis of Ukraine’s European identity on the pages of historical works, but in the course of private communication with the trusted circle of his colleagues, students and followers. V. Antonovych was the first in Ukrainian historiography to overcome most Slavophile prejudices against the West and tolerantly interpreted Western European influences on the phenomena in Ukrainian history. The transition of V. Antonovych to European identity did not mean complete abandonment of Slavic identity: he considered the Slavic to be an integral part of the European tradition. It has been found that the historian unequally treated different constituents of Europe. He was especially revered by the Roman peoples (especially France), and he had considerable prejudices against the Germans.