The crisis, that didn`t happen. Notes on the first philosophical work of V. S. Solovyov

The article defends the need for a critical (that is, distinguishing between truth and fallacy) approach to the work of V. S. Solovyov instead of the panegyric attitude of modern Russian researchers. In view of this task, the origins of V. S. Solovyov’s philosophical views are considered in connection with his master’s dissertation “The Crisis of Western Philosophy (against positivists)”. The filiation of the ideas of “all- unity” and “abstract principles”, which subsequently played a key role in the formation of the teachings of the “mature” Solovyov, is revealed. The originality of the historical and philosophical scheme “rationalism versus empiricism” proposed by him is discussed, as well as the adequacy of the assessment of Hegel as the “finalizer” of the rationalist line in Western philosophy. Special attention is paid to V. S. Solovyov’s attitude to the cogito ergo sum principle, which determined the entire course of Modern philosophy. The general direction of the dissertation “against positivists” is compared with the task of “universal synthesis of science, philosophy and religion” proposed in it as a purely positivist project. The conclusion of the article calls into question the popular opinion about V. S. Solovyov’s master’s dissertation as a “manifestation of genius” and points out of the main “blind spot” in his worldview.