The study also produces knowledge of the conceptions concerning orthodox socialism in the early Finnish and Finnish-American working-class movements, the publications under scrutiny, and their connections. Thus, my work also sheds light on the transatlantic connections of the early Finnish and Finnish-American working-class movements.
The theoretical starting points of the work are Johan Asplund’s concept tankefigur (1979), which Pollari translates into the term ”way of thinking”, and his model for the study of intellectual history, which the concept is based on, Inga Sanner’s concept moralisk utopi (1995), which she has translated into ”moral utopianism”, and the concept of ”realismspeak”, which Pollari bases on Pertti Alasuutari’s concept ”nationspeak” and Petri Ruuska’s interpretation of it. In his work Pollari puts Asplund’s model under scrutiny, and, as a result, presents a new model, which he uses as the basis of his analysis of the two debates. Pollari also defines the concepts moralspeak and rational determinism based on the analysis.
Thus, the theoretical results of Pollari's study consist of the definitions of: A. the umbrella concepts of ways of speaking and thinking, B. two specific ways of thinking – moral utopianism and rational determinism –, C. two specific ways of speaking – realismspeak and moralspeak – and D. the model for the study of intellectual history that works as the basis for the aforementioned concepts. In addition, his work enhances the understanding of the publications under scrutiny, the debates on their ideological direction and the connections between the debates, and also the early publication activity directed at Finnish-American workers.
As a conclusion, Pollari considers the general usability of his concepts using the debate on climate change as an example, and also highlights his conceptions of the utilisation of concepts of intellectual history – and knowledge attained through their use – in the analysis of, and participation in, topical debates.
The doctoral dissertation of Master of Arts Mikko Pollari in th field of history titled Ajattelu- ja puhetavat aatehistoriallisina käsitteinä: Työmiehen Illanvieton ja Amerikan Suomalaisen Työmiehen linjakeskustelut 1900-luvun will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Tampere University at 12 o'clock on Friday 4 June, 2021. The venue is Arvo building auditorium F114, address: Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Kauppi campus. Docent Heini Hakosalo from the University of Oulu will be the opponent while Professor Pirjo Markkola will act as the custos.
The event can be followed via remote connection.
The dissertation is available online at
http://hdl.handle.net/10138/329941
Photo: Jukka Salminen