Scientists discuss A. Akhiezer's "Russia: A Critique of Its Historical Experience." (3 volumes, 1991). I.Ionov, S.Matveeva, N. Pliskevich, A.Prigogin, S.Pronin, B.Slavnuj, and I.Yakovenko participated in the discussion as well as the author of the books. Panelists pointed to the significance of Akhiezer's theory to the Russian philosophy of history; stressed that this author continues pre-revolutionary tradition of Russian social philosophy. It was pointed out that Akhiezer developed a metatheory that includes the system of terms and categories. The role of “split” as a central category of Akhiezer’s theory was also discussed as well as the “pendulum” characteristics of Russian historical development.