V. Solovyov and his time in A.F. Losev’s assessment

The article considers A.F. Losev's analysis of the philosophy of unity of V. Solovyov, carried out by him in the book “V. Solovyov and his time”. The comparative method and techniques of historical and philosophical reconstruction are used. Methodological guidelines for comparing the views of Solovyov and Losev are formulated. The main attention is paid to the characteristic of Solovyov's theoretical philosophy. The categorical structures of the concept of unity and its basic categories are revealed. The question of to what extent Solovyov's teaching can be considered mysticism is discussed. Losev's characterization of Solovyov's concept as a classical type of philosophy is explained. The national aspect of his theoretical ideas is highlighted. The content of Solovyov's image-concept of Sofia is considered, as well as the critical remarks of Losev, who discovers the contradiction contained in it. It is argued that Solovyov's understanding of evolution cannot be considered as a variant of religious natural philosophy. It is noted that cosmology, developed by the philosopher, organically transforms into anthropology, permeated with the Messianic idea of human vocation. He formulated the idea of the need to save the world through its rebirth under the influence of communion with the divine principle. The fruitful influence of Solovyov's concept on V.F. Erna, Vyacheslav Ivanov, A.N. Berdyaev, S.L. Frank – all subsequent Russian philosophy. The article concludes that A.F. Losev's book is a deep and independent study of V. Solovyov's philosophical concept, and his analysis sets important guidelines for the development of modern theoretical thought.