About the specifics of historical reality

Alferov Anatoly Alexandrovich

Every science studies a certain reality. Historical science studies the past. However, how can the past be a reality, because it is no longer there. What gives the historical past the features of reality? The article proves that the historical past receives these features from the consciousness of people of the past – their opinions, views, ideas, evaluation, motivation... It also discusses possible ways of penetrating the spiritual world of the past.

Keywords:past, present, time, consciousness, historical reality, cognition of the past.