Voloshin V. The origin and development of social doctrine in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic.

In the thesis a new field of religious knowledge, namely epistemology of religion is represented. Its paradigmal bases, consisting of determination of disciplinary and structural configuration, ontological assumptions, notional and conceptual framework and criteria of cognitive approaches' selection are devised. Productivity of the use of the cognitive program which has formed within the limits of analytical philosophy is proved. Attributive characteristics of knowledge, faith / belief and religious knowledge are investigated. For the first time it is disclosed in what way the concept "possible world" promotes solution of problems of epistemology of religion. Strategies of cognition of religion that are notable for their novelty are devised in logico-methodological and meta-methodological planes. Theory of reference which is relevant in terms of analysis of both religious concepts and those of religious studies is suggested. Analysis of both definitions and classifications of the concept "religion" as well as hypothesis as a form of development of religious studies knowledge is performed. A version of conceptual-categorical apparatus of religious studies is represented. Arguments in favour of application of the principle of complementarity in religious studies research are formulated.