[The problem of the choice of theory in the examination of human existence in the history]

This article provides criticism of Z. Kuchowicz's research program which aimed at direct determination of history in terms of biological factors and the natural environment. A model of explaining the biological dimension of history on the basis of modern methodological assumptions of historiographic trends has been proposed, in particular F. Braudel's concept of global history (temporal categories), historical anthropology, M. Foucault's theory of discourse and postmodernism (microhistory). The choice of theory depended on its reception by historians, feasibility for the purposes of medical historiography, subjective attitude, and individual attempts to take into account different methodological assumptions. Modern historiographic trends create an opportunity for the research on the biological existence of the man in the history, they put the biological existence and the natural environment in a position, which can be even regarded as privileged. It is essential to depart from the traditional, even-directed historiography or not to restrict oneself exclusively to research postulates or theoretical works, but to highlight specific and new issues and conduct source studies in that area.