Methodological justification of topics by revealing topos

Method of investigation, which was devisedby Aristotle and called topics, has a complex history, and this method has not been estimated till nowadays. The main reason for thatwas unpopularity of informal argumentation methods, including topics, which were connected with the search for a universal theory anda universal rational method. As a result, the methods which were based on the principles of verisimilitude were moved to the peripherals.In 19th-20th centuries the process of the philosophical thought renewal led to philosophers' conversion to the methods of informalargumentation, including topics. But topics lost its independence in this situation - it was assumed as a "rhetorical method" or as a partof rhetoric. Therefore, in our opinion, the further development of the method of spatial organization has to follow the path of using themost important aspects of topics, its "heart" - identification of topos. Topos is the place of meanings concentration and intersection, asense concentration, on the one hand; but, on the other hand, it is a location where meanings are exposed. Identification or selection oftopos has to be realized by several stages, including definition proceedings, scheme of dialogue organization and procedure of search ofsenses intersection. The first stage is the definition proceeding - as the discovering of something which is essential, of a problem situationconcentration - "delineation" of the place. Then follows the "filling" of the place with statements and facts, which either have orhave not been realized in science history, and also with one's own statements (those that are verisimilar for the person who does theprocedure). That filling is practiced through a dialogue, because dialectical logic (topics) is a dialogue, in contrast to analytical logic,which is a monolog. Topos identification is realized by two main ways depending on the research objective. These "ways" are not opposedto each other; they are considered as complementary. The first way is discovering the "common place". Common place combinesa wide variety of objects and phenomena different at first sight, of different definitions and objects configurations. The second way isrevealing of topos of a single object. We can consider that way as a possible place of the object's exposing of meanings. Research canstart with the search of common place or with discovering of a single object's topos, depending on research tasks. The given method oftopos identification is perspective for researches in different spheres of knowledge, but especially in social-humanities and in philosophy.That method is an advantage, because it is a type of the least normalized intellectual technique, and very often humanity knowledgeand philosophy presuppose indefinite, problem situations, where apodictic conclusions are not used.

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