Ostropolska Z. Social and cultural dimensions in S. Bulgakov's conception of economy

The object of the research is S. M. Bulgakov's conception of economy. The aim is to reveal the social and cultural components of S. M. Bulgakov's economic conceptions, who represented the philosophical and religious direction in the history of native thought. The methods are as follows: the social and cultural, the historical, the comparative, the systematic, the hermeneutical. Theoretical results and their novelty consist of determination of the specificity of Bulgakov's understanding of economy as a social and cultural phenomenon which covers not only "pure" economic relations but also the wide spectrum of philosophical, cultural, anthropological, ethic, esthetic, religious and cosmological intentions. It is proved that the idea of "rational economy" is one of the theoretical prerequisites of the teaching about the noosphere and that it is an integral part of the philosophical and religious version of cosmism. The practical significance of the research is in the use of its theses, conclusions and recommendations in determination of directions, strategies, conceptions, pro-grams of socio-cultural development in the conditions of increasing globalization. Enrichment of educational courses on philosophy, culturology, ethics, esthetics, religious studies, theory and history of economic thought is also of great importance. Sphere of use lies in scientific and teaching activity, educational process in the institutions of higher education, theory and history of economic thought