Institute of Man of the USSR Academy of Sciences: From Conception to Realization

The article examines the history of the establishment of the Institute of Man of the USSR Academy of Sciences (later, the Russian Academy of Sciences), which operated from 1989 to 2004. Throughout its existence, the Institute maintained a consistent research focus on the comprehensive, interdisciplinary study of humanity, even as its institutional affiliation evolved. This focus derived from the scientific programme developed over many years by Academician I.T. Frolov, which underpinned the Institute of Man project. Under I.T. Frolov’s leadership, a substantial journey was undertaken: various institutional forms were tested, and hundreds of scholars and research teams were engaged in the pursuit of comprehensive human studies. The immense authority that philosopher I.T. Frolov commanded among representatives of the natural and technical sciences enabled the unification of their efforts in addressing global, multifaceted problems, ultimately leading to the affirmative decision by the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences to establish the Institute of Man in 1989. A contributing factor was the significant political influence wielded by I.T. Frolov as an aide to the head of state for science, education, and culture. Drawing on recently discovered documents from the Archive of the Russian Academy of Sciences (including the transcript of the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences meeting on January 17, 1989, during which the question of creating the Institute of Man was considered, as well as the resolution of the Presidium on the organization of the All-Union Interdepartmental Center for Human Sciences under the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Man under the Center), the article analyzes the course of the discussion and the decisions adopted. It elucidates the arguments advanced in favor of and against the creation of the Institute of Man, as well as the organizational forms proposed in connection therewith. Given that the Institute of Man project retains its relevance today, the arguments presented by both sides hold interest for organizers of science as well as public and political figures.

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