Methodological reflection on collective memory research. Attempt to initial recognition of problem on the example of the Jeff Rey Olick, Wulf Kansteiner and Alon Confinoʼs considerations

Abstract

Methodological reflection is indicated in carrying out most of sociological research. Especially in those cases where the problem area being the subject of analysis brings with it certain doubts – whether about the nature of the phenomenon under study, ways to reach it, or about drawing conclusions beyond the scope determined by the empirical material. It seems that the subdiscipline of sociology dealing with the collective memory cannot afford the lack of such reflection. This paper presents initial reflections on methodological issues of collective memory research, based on the considerations of Jeffrey Olick, Wulf Kansteiner and Alon Confino. Following their ideas, in the article appear discussions about the condition of the subdiscipline (which by one of the authors called the sociology of retrospection), the nature and ways of naming the phenomena which is its subject, individualistic and collectivist depiction of collective memory, as well as the attempts to conceptualize it as a process. There are also various proposals how to deal with this complex and heterogeneous matter, which is the collective commemoration of the past.