Bibliogr. s. 45-46

The history of ideas emerged as a distinct discipline in the 1940s under the leadership of Arthur Lovejoy, whose foundational principles emphasized meticulous qualitative analysis and the interpretation of selected thinkers' works. However, the increasing volume of authors and publications in recent decades has introduced significant challenges to the field. This article argues that incorporating quantitative methods can help address these challenges. Specifically, it explores the potential of topic modelling as a tool for studying ideas, highlighting its advantages and providing an example of its application through an analysis of sociological articles published in two leading journals: the "American Journal of Sociology" in the United States and "Studia Socjologiczne" in Poland.