Philosophical comparativistics: purpose and limits of possibilities

The article is devoted to clarifying the meaning, purpose, possibilities and limits of the relevance of comparative research in philosophy (especially in historical and philosophical research). It is noted that in itself comparative science is only a research strategy, and its tactics are carried out with the help of appropriate methods and principles. The article highlights and analyzes the following: the principle of being outside, the method of cultural-historicism, the principle of the priority of thinking over language, and the hermeneutic method. It is noted that sometimes the very possibility of comparative analysis is misinterpreted due to a misunderstanding of the true relationship between thinking and language. It is also noted that the hermeneutic method requires careful application, because there are often costs and even errors. The article shows that comparative studies, since they are carried out with ready-made systems, their aspects, ideas or categories, they cannot replace critical analysis and thus claim to establish the truth. In their essence, they are a research tool, but, of course, a necessary tool.