The problem of determining the subject of culturology

The problem of determining the subject of culturology was first raised by W. Ostwald and L. White and followed by Soviet and Russian scientists such as A.Ya. Flier, Yu.V. Osokin and others. It is still of particular relevance today. The author analyzes the development stages of culturology as a science, comments on the views of Russian and Western scientists on its subject matter, and makes a conclusion on a possible solution to this problem. The emphasis is placed on the contribution of domestic scientists to the institutionalization of culturology in Russia. The author concludes that the subject matter of culturology is of polymorphic nature. It involves social and human cultural studies; regional schools of thought; integrative research area, branch of science, academic discipline, and major in terms of higher education. To summarize, firstly, the subject of culturology in Russia touches upon the main types (forms) of culture and related historical and cultural processes. Secondly, it deals with specifically human characteristics, system-wide properties, and characteristics of culture as an integral phenomenon.