WHAT IS NEO-KANTIANISM

Abstract. The article attempts to define the uniqueness of the leading trend in world philosophy of the late 19th – early 20th centuries. Moreover, the emphasis is placed on two important aspects of this uniqueness: the attitude of neo-Kantians to Kant and their persistent desire to begin the tradition of transcendental philosophy with the philosophy of Plato. In the attitude of neo-Kantians to Kant, the article highlights, first of all, four main features. The Kant of neo- Kantians is, firstly, historical Kant, secondly, systemic Kant, thirdly, Kant as the «spirit» of transcendental philosophy, an impetus for further development (to understand Kant means to go beyond him) and, finally, fourthly, modern Kant, helping to solve significant problems of our time. As for the significance of Plato for the entire tradition of idealistic transcendental philosophy, here the neo-Kantians are undoubtedly convinced that it was with Plato that the path of scientific philosophy began, the task of which is to clarify the conditions for the possibility of science in the knowledge of nature, man and society.