V.P. Krutous - famous aesthetician, Honored Professor of Moscow State University M.V. Lomonosov; before his eyes and with his participation, a significant stage in the development of the philosophy of art, aesthetic thought, from the end of the 70s of the XX century to the present. Some characteristic trends and patterns of this stage are summarized, comprehended by him on the pages of this book. The main idea of ​ ​ all work is indicated in the title; it is, firstly, a reflection of the "spirit of the times" in the aesthetic searches and concepts of theorists and, secondly, the contribution of the thinkers themselves to the further development of society, its aesthetic and artistic culture. The author's close attention to the philosophical, aesthetic and cultural thought of the past is organically combined with his heightened interest in the most pressing, debatable issues of our time.