The concept of Arnold Toynbee as a primary stage of development of the theory of local civilizations
The article is devoted to the analysis of the philosophical concept of history of A. Toynbee as the key stage in development of the theory of local civilizations. Toynbee’s understanding of history is based on a recognition of uniqueness, individuality and originality of each social formation in the history, which are created a chain of cultural types - civilizations, in each of which are inherent the characteristic features, laws of existence, public rules and private life, but the defining factor of existence civilizations is the religion and the highest moral values. The concept A. Toynbee allocates a number of laws of genesis of civilizations and opens mankind’s history as system process. Working out of the methodological base of the further research of the concept of A. Toynbee will give the chance of practical introduction in a historical science which demands the new approaches in the conceptual development.