Abstract

This chapter focuses on the “activity approach,” which was popular in Soviet philosophy of the second half of the twentieth century, as well as in some human sciences, especially psychology. In this context, Russian philosophers have contributed a series of interesting ideas. Since activity theory is again gaining popularity in the understanding of cognition and consciousness in cognitive science and in constructivist theories, it makes sense to consider what achievements in this area were accomplished in Russian philosophy of the Soviet era and how relevant these ideas are in the present day. The productivity of several activity theory ideas and concepts expressed in Soviet philosophy becomes evident in light of ongoing discussions in philosophy, cognitive science, and the human sciences.