This article attempts to analyze S. L. Frank’s philosophy to identify a distinct concept – “mystical realism”. Two key works on the ontology of the thinker have been considered: “Subject of knowledge” belonging to the early period of his creative work, and “Incomprehensible” written in the late period. The tradition of Frank’s intellectual heritage analysis is represented by the works of I.I. Evlampiev, P.P. Gaidenko, P. Elen, A.M. Khamidulina and other professionals aimed at finding elements of intuitive (mystical) cognition of the Absolute in the context of objective being. It resulted in the idea that “mystical realism” is based on the combination of rational and irrational knowledge aimed at acquiring the Absolute. S.L. Frank shows the presence of something mystical (Absolute) in the context of objective being, and further he reveals the presence of something mystical (Absolute) in the spiritual being of a person. The presence of something mystical within reality is represented by two main transcendence ways: “outward expression of a spirit” and “inward expression of a spirit”. It allows the philosopher to speak about the Absolute as a fundamental principle that created the uni-verse and at the same time as a call of eternity coming into an objective world through a spiritual life of a person.

Simonov Alexandr Igorevich, Candidate of Sciences (Philosophy), Guidance Counselor, Department of Control and Supervision Activities in the Regions, Department of Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation in Volga Federal District, 32, Varvarskaya st., Nizhny Novgorod, 603006, Russian Federation, e-mail: simonoff-alex@rambler.ru

Simonov A.I. General Principles of S. L. Frank’s “Mystical Realism” as a Method of Knowing the Absolute. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Political Science and Religion Studies, 2021, vol. 35, pp. 93-106. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2021.35.93 (in Russian)

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