Interpretations of Aristotelian philosophy (Joseph de Maistre vs Francis Bacon)

The article examines the issue of how Aristotle’s philosophy, mainly his logical, psychological and metaphysical teachings, were interpreted and used in the 17th - 18th centuries, namely, by Francis Bacon and Joseph de Maistre, in the context of confrontation between empiricism and Platonism, ideological struggle of Christianity with atheistic scientism. The following issues are considered: what is the “nature” of man, his mind and his cognitive abilities, with special attention being paid to syllogism and induction, the doctrine of soul and the concept of “entelechy”. Theological interpretations of the “first philosophy” of Stagirite, ethical and political aspects of anthropology, the problem of scientific knowledge in the perspective of struggle between materialistic and platonic paradigms are studied.