The book examines current problems of modern historical and philosophical science: methodological principles of the Marxist-Leninist concept of the history of philosophy; the significance of Lenin's criticism of the historical and philosophical views of Bogdanov - Shulyatikov; questions of the history of philosophy in the works of F. Mering; gives a critical analysis of the historical and philosophical positions of modern positivism and representatives of the Frankfurt School. The work also analyzes the methodology used by Engels in his historical and philosophical works, shows the struggle of V.I. Lenin for the philosophical heritage of Engels.