НАТУРФІЛОСОФІЯ, ПРИРОДОЗНАВСТВО ТА АЛХІМІЯ У ТВОРАХ ГРИГОРІЯ СКОВОРОДИ

The article offers a new view on the philosophical heritage of Hryhorii Skovoroda in terms of natural philosophy, natural science and in particular the phenomenon of European alchemy. The study of Skovoroda's works in terms of natural philosophy reveals their natural scientific potential and the parallels with the philosophical basis of the spiritual alchemy of Late Medieval and Early Modern periods. Although Skovoroda rejects the established "material" vision of a Philosopher's Stone, one still could trace the parallels with alchemical concepts in the thinker's thought. The views of the philosopher resemble with the Freemasons' thought of those days. This fact additionally indicates the possibility of integrating Skovoroda's philosophy into the context of esoteric knowledge. Philosopher's thoughts interesting in an alchemical context are close to the natural philosophical literary tradition of the the 17th - 18th century Ukrainian Baroque, so one could suggest that the mentioned tradition in general was favorable to alchemical & natural philosophical knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]