Протосоциологическая традиция в становлении категории “интерес”

Abstract

The authors critically examine distinctive features of theoretical discourses regarding the interest category within a number of proto-sociological scientific paradigms. Particular attention is paid to analysis and systematization of the main ideas about essence, functions and mechanisms of interest developed and accumulated by social and human sciences in the period before a proper sociological cognition. The emphasis is placed not so much on criticism of proto-sociological theories as on revealing semantic load of the interest category.