The problem of human essence in classical and non-classical philosophy

The paper considers one of the central problems of philosophical knowledge - the nature of man, its classical and non-classical interpretation. The criteria for identifying the main stages of philosophical thought are analyzed. It is shown that the classical stage is characterized mainly by philosophical monism, universalism, rationalism and «gnoseological optimism». For the non-classical stage, such tendencies as dualism, irrationalism, agnosticism are characteristic. Particular attention is paid to the classical way of forming abstractions and defining the essence of the world and man. It is shown that the modern concrete-general interpretation of human nature is the result of the development of classical attitudes and principles.