The essay is devoted to the evolution of the formation of fundamental concepts of immunology about immunity and autoimmunity in the light of philosophical views on the unity and struggle of opposites as the basis for understanding the essence of the functioning of the adaptation mechanism. The role of methodological and ideological foundations for a series of mutually generating discoveries is emphasized. The time stages of the emergence of ideas in immunology are indicated as a result of the emergence and development of various scientific schools. The formation of modern concepts in immunology is considered by the authors in the context of the infinity and unity of the scientific continuum (7 figs, bibliography: 28 refs).