ALTERNATIVE HISTORY: IMAGINARY WORLDS OR ANOTHER REALITY?

Abstract

The points are devoted to the analysis of the conceptual foundations of alternative history. It is concluded that there are consistent basic ontologies that, in principle, are empirically verifiable and completely compatible with the probabilistic approach to the historical process. In addition, the models proposed within its framework can retain cognitive significance, even if they are not a direct reflection of external reality. These problems are important for clarifying the logical structure of the historical process; in addition, their study helps to better understand the traditional methodology of the humanities, more fully revealing its heuristic potential and inherent limitations.