The article analyzes causes of the crisis in the investigation of aphasia, one of which is insufficient attention to issues of theory and method. The author discusses A.R. Luria's views on the nature of aphasia and the so-called factor causing disruption of speech. The author also discusses classification of aphasia which needs to be revised and developed on the basis of a common denominator, suggesting that the very definition of aphasia should be reconsidered on the basis of new conceptions of speech and language and relations between speech and mind, speech and personality.