P. A. Miloslavsky's ideas in the context of philosophy at Kazan Theological Academy: from historical apologetics to theocentric positivism

The article analyzes the philosophical heritage of the representative of the philosophical school at Kazan Theological Academy, Pyotr Alekseevich Miloslavsky (1848-1884). The continuity of his views with the ideas of Archbishop Nikanor (Brovkovich) is established. The key moment turns out to be a consistent shift of interest in both Archbishop Nikanor and Miloslavsky from apologetic to philosophical goals. In the course of the investigation, it is determined that a common point for these thinkers, as well as for another mentor of Miloslavsky - V. A. Snegirev, is their interest in positivism and orientation towards the transition from empirical knowledge to metaphysics and, ultimately, to philosophical theology, built on the most rigorous scientific criteria. The article highlights the key ideas of Miloslavsky’s main work Foundations of Philosophy as a Special Science . The conclusion is made about the central importance for the views of Miloslavsky of the idea of “conceptual sensations” (intellectual intuition), the concept of “things of knowledge” (objectification of creativity), as well as the idea of a collective, social nature of knowledge and creativity.