On Philosophy Circles with Felix Mikhailov

Abstract

In the article, in the form of a co-reflection with Felix Mikhailov, two internally related problems are revealed: the beginning of human existence and the logical form as a condition for analyzing the beginning. Setting himself the task of re­vealing the nature of the logical beginning and thereby showing the nature of the creative process, Mikhailov is looking for answers in a wide space of sci­ence, in various philosophical concepts, in logical positivism, existentialism, and psychology. Here he is looking for the principles of logical thinking, it’s a priori forms and apodictic character. Reflecting on these searches, the author of the ar­ticle critically analyzes the methodological dead ends that arise here. In particu­lar, Mikhailov’s idea of the initial beginning of the construction of cultural and historical human existence – the so-called “concept of conversion” – has no ade­quate theoretical justification, the argumentation is based on existential and psy­chological content rather than on a logical form. The author of the article actua­lizes and analyzes these problems, wishing to show the productivity of appealing to the work of a prominent Russian philosopher who awakened a wide range of philosophical, psychological and pedagogical issues.