The ontological intentions for understanding of reflection in classical philosophy

In the paper, the author defines the ontological bases for understanding of the phenomenon of reflection, which are characteristic of classical philosophy. The specificity of the ontological interpretation of reflection, expressed in the cosmological, naturophilosophical, and ethical ideas of ancient Greek thinkers, is determined. The comprehension of reflection is connected with the search for a way to familiarize a person with the world of ideas and the acquisition of the Truth through self-knowledge. It is demonstrated that the theologisation of reflection occurs in the Middle Ages, and it is understood as the transition from self-knowledge to knowledge of God, as a means of fulfilling the highest human destiny. An analysis of reflection in the concepts of representatives of new European philosophy led us to the conclusion that the understanding of reflection in the rationalist tradition is associated with the implementation of the practice of self-knowledge as a manifestation of the immanent properties of the cognizing subject.