"What is Philosophy" as the Issue of the 20th Century: Historical and Philosophical Dimensions

The paper focuses on the issues of what philosophy is intended for, its self-identification in the continental and analytical tradition of the 20th century, as well as actualization of its value potential. The study looks at the concept of metaphilosophy as the reflection on the historical experience of philosophy. Philosophy has been involving a human being in the culture of self-identification and practical rationality. Meanwhile, philosophy is still taken as thinking distanced from object which thus influences the status of philosophical disciplines. The situation makes us clear out the fundamental role of philosophy. The reference to the outstanding philosophers of the 20th century lets answer the question "What is philosophy?", also allows to distinguish between the history of philosophy and metaphilosophy.