The history of Aristotelian society of the early period: the genesis and preconditions for development

Abstract

The study presents the early period of the history of the Aristotelian society on the basis of the theoretical
principles of network analysis by Randall Collins. The theoretical basis of network analysis has significant
heuristic capabilities and help to understand the process of development of the Aristotelian Society, which
has turned from a group of philosophy enthusiasts into a professional philosophical association. It is
emphasized that quantitative criteria of periodization are problematic because they do not take into account
the complex intellectual atmosphere in British philosophy of the late XIX–early XX century. The article
discusses popular historical and philosophical cliches that simplify the reflection of this period only as an
arena of rivalry between British idealists and analytical philosophers. The important role of Shadworth
Hodgson as the first president of the Aristotelian Society is also considered.