A.S. Khomyakov’s Philosophy of Sobornost: Problem Field and Categorical Structures

Abstract

The article deals with the philosophical concept of the outstanding Russian thinker A.S. Khomyakov (1804–1860). The system method and historical and philosophical reconstruction are used. The categorical structures of its concept are analyzed, the content of the basic category is revealed. The main ideological sources of Khomyakov's worldview are determined. It is argued that the development of categorical structures of the thinker's concept is based on his reflections on the church. It is revealed that in the work “The Church is One” Khomyakov for the first time the concept of sobornost is introduced, having become the fundamental basis of his entire concept. It is proved that the doctrine of sobornost contains the basic principles developed by the philosopher in his ontology and epistemology, historiosophy and social theory. It is shown that in the era of widespread dissemination in Russia of the teachings of German philosophers, A.S. Khomyakov showed himself as a subtle and deep analyst who sharply criticized the results of the development of German theoretical thought. As a result of the carried out textual analysis, the general architecture and logical connections of the categorical structures of the thinker's concept are determined. It is demonstrated that the philosopher does not stop at studying the main directions of contemporary philosophy – he develops his own, original solution to the main problems of ontology and the theory of cognition. The paper analyzes the work of Khomyakov “Notes on world history”, designed to give a holistic understanding of world history, its meaning and direction. It is shown that the concept developed in it to a certain extent was an alternative to the Hegel model of the historical process. The article concludes that the development of categorical structures of the philosophy of sobornost of A.S. Khomyakov retains its importance for modern theoretical thought.