Abstract

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the main theoretical and methodological provisions of museology as a humanitarian science. Its basic concepts are formulated from idealistic positions, its methodology is defined. As an object, the ideas of a person who creates a museum reality to achieve influence on the consciousness of other people are considered. The idea of a particular museum, realized in objective reality, is defined as the subject. The subject of museology is also the process of realization of ideas – the functioning of museum reality and the process of its perception by visitors. The purpose of the museum is to make certain changes in the consciousness and attitude of another person – a visitor. The methodology of museology as a humanitarian science is based on the method of understanding, which provides comprehension of the ideas underlying the museum. Methods play a special role: communicative and construction. The goals of the museum determine its functions, the most important is the communicative one, it is she who realizes the main goal of the museum – to convey ideas and feelings from the museum employee to the visitor. The ways to achieve the goal may change with changing attitudes in society, while the museums themselves and their functions change. The main factor determining the role and social significance of museums is a person's interest in them, which manifests itself when the ideas embedded in their foundation correspond to the main ideological ideas prevailing in society and help people solve their vital problems. A museum should be relevant only when it plays an important role in the life of society. The next stage in the development of museology as a humanitarian science is its approbation in the course of solving scientific and practical tasks facing a museum employee.