Аннотация:The present article deals with the specific character of philosophy as a field of knowledge and cognition. Philosophical research is focused on a human being, which determines its approach and methods. Philosophical study is represented by a dialogue of two parties, and it is not aimed at absolute objectivity and accuracy. Philosophical dialogue is a dialogue of texts, and the comprehension of a text can be achieved only by individual interpretation, hence multiple ways of understanding are possible. A dialogue as a method is inherent in other disciplines of the humanities. For instance, history can be perceived as the dialogue of a source text (e.g. a chronicle) and a researcher, who interprets facts or, rather, primary narration of facts; and history can be regarded as a collection of texts. In general, the object of the humanities is a text as a system of signs. Texts include particular facts, events and phenomena as well as complex systems (e.g. science, arts, religion, etc.). Philosophy is a hermeneutical activity; it is an interpretation of interpretations. Philosophical interpretation is an independent creative process of meaning search and creation; it can be considered as the consciousness of culture which determines the values of human existence.