Generations and intergenerational process: methodological aspect

The paper discusses various aspects of the concept of “generation” from the point of view of its use in humanitarian research. The works of scientists who dealt with this problem are analyzed. It is noted that there are a variety of approaches to the definition of this concept, however, usually, the chronological and other signs of one generation are very blurred, and often the term “generation” refers to individual communities of people who have a similar attitude to one or another event or a phenomenon, which seems incorrect. The expediency of introducing the category of “universal generation” as a basic concept for research in the humanities, the key feature of which is “generation length”, measured by the average life expectancy of people born in one year, is substantiated. It is argued that the introduction of this concept will allow more stringent delimitation of various social groups and more effectively study their characteristics. Thus, new opportunities will open up for studying the process of transferring civilized products from living people to their descendants.