Apophaticism as a personality research method in western and Russian philosophy of the 20th century

The paper deals with two types of apophatic approaches to human by a case study of anthropological concepts of G. Bataille and A.F. Losev. Based on the analysis of such concepts as inner experience and transgression, the nature of Bataille’s apophaticism in relation to a person is shown. By denying man his wholeness, Bataille seeks to transcend the anthropological boundary that separates man from nothing. The ideas of G. Bataille and A.F. Losev are compared. The latter claims the apophatic knowledge of the personality. The concept of personality is considered in the context of the problems of symbol and mystery. The historical and physical character of the person is highlighted. It is concluded that there are two types of apophatic concepts: apophaticism of transhumanism and apophaticism of personality aimed at fulfilling human potential.