The place of the value of progress in the development of sociology

Abstract

The article is devoted to the issue of value priorities in Sociology. More specifically, it deals with the idea of progress, first of all, as an axiological background of the emergence and institutionalization of sociology as such. Initially sociology was absolutely separated from ontology due to denial of metaphysics and dissemination of Enlightenment values. That is why in the very beginning the idea of progress was supposed to be beyond criticism. On the other hand, later it was turned into a subject of critical analysis. The idea of progress is considered as an axiological base of the transition from prescientific social thinking to sociological rationality. It was an incentive for scientists to found sociology. Then that idea lost its stable position after the mission.