The article analyzes the Western European influences on the formation of the domestic philosophical school. It is noted that the Kyiv philosophical school was founded by P. Kopnin in the middle of the 20th century. Within its framework, the theory of logic of academic research, positivist tradition, social philosophy, philosophical anthropology were developed. It is indicated that the latter investigates the fundamental ontological problems of human existence, analyzes the conditions and forms of human socialization, patterns of formation and functioning of the human individual, their sociopsychological essence, moral and ethical definitions. The article also highlights peculiarities of M. Scheler’s influence on the formation of philosophical anthropology. It is indicated that excessive rationalization, scientific and technological progress, development of positivism and materialism, loss of spiritual and axiological principles cause the loss of the meaning of life, individual existential depth and undermine personal uniqueness, making people consumers, a crowd. The influence of Descartes’ views on the formation of the Ukrainian philosophical thought is studied. It is noted that he developed the theory of knowledge and anthropology, in particular, researched the features of human self-assertion in the world. In this context, the ideas of Pascal are also analyzed, who, like Descartes, also drew attention to the imperfection of human beings, especially emphasizing the ontologically rooted tragedy of their existence. He noted that the mind is both a great advantage and disadvantage, because man is the only being who is aware of his own mortality. It is pointed out that it was Pascal’s ideas that greatly influenced the formation of the Ukrainian cordocentric tradition.