Pedagogy as a science

Pedagogy is regarded in various ways by specialists of different scientific areas. Some consider it as a science, others - as art. Most of scientists consider pedagogy as a science and art at the same time. In this paper it is stated that pedagogy appears not just as art but as a science. The art relates not to the scientific base of pedagogy but to the subject of pedagogical work - peda-gogue who uses different resources for forming, developing of personality of a student, a pro-fessional. The characteristic traits of pedagogy as an independent science are listed. The author holds that the main mission of pedagogy must be developing of spiritual culture of ahuman person and that effectiveness of educational institutes is determined first of all by native Tradition. The problem of spirituality is connected primarily to such form of social consciousness as faith. The author notes that materialists explained the spiritual sphere of personality unsatisfac-torily, unfoundedly reducing it to animal nature. So the essential issue for pedagogical science and practice, in author’s opinion, is the problem of spirituality in the context of the aims of education. This is topical for the present-day state which is characterized by wide spread of pseudoforms in educational process, uncritical borrowing of Western educational technologies. Also in this paper the author considers the problem of all-round and many-sided developing of personality in the native educational space. The clear differentiation of denoted aims of educa-tion is essential to practical work of educational institutions.