Metaphysical Aspects of Russian Social Consciousness in Russian Philosophy and Publicity of the beginning of the 20th Century

In: Ukrai͏̈noznavstvo, Heft 4(85), S. 8-18

Abstract

The article notes that for an in-depth analysis of the worldview and socio-political exhortations of the "Russian world" ideology carriers, it is insufficient to identify only the natural and historical prerequisites for the formation of these exhortations. It is necessary to reveal the deep metaphysical foundations of the Russian ethnic group spirituality. The fact these foundations have transformed into one of the essential elements of the "Russian world" aggressive spiritual substance, increase the relevance of this problem in modern conditions. The author of the article offers an overview of understanding of this problem by the representatives of Russian journalism and philosophy of the beginning of the 20th century, Maxim Gorkiy and Nikolai Berdyaev. The article notes that M. Gorky in his essay "On the Russian Peasantry" criticizes the illusory views of Russian writers of the middle and the second half of the 19th century on the nature of the Russian peasantry (and at the same time the Russian ethnic group in general, because Russian society was mostly peasant) as a wise seeker of truth and justice, a person with a broad and generous soul, a carrier of world humanistic values. The specificity of the development of Russian history, the geographical living conditions formed, in Gorky's opinion, the traits of cruelty, aggressiveness, and contempt for the human personality that define the behavior of the Russian peasant. These features, imprinted on the deep supra-individual level of the Russian peasant, are invariant with respect to the class and political affiliation of their bearers. They can be eradicated only through radical social transformations and long educational processes. The article pays special attention to N. Berdyaev's views on the metaphysical roots of historical and spiritual manifestations of the Russian soul. Under this review, he analyzes the existential ideas of Russians about the value of human life, about their attitude to God, to the ideas about good and evil, as well as their attitude to the state and other peoples. Berdyaev considered the main source of aggressiveness, irrationality and unpredictability of Russian deeds to be the underdevelopment of the personal principle in the spiritual and social life of Russian society. He considers the consequences of such underdevelopment in the history of the social structure of Russian society, in the religious practices of Russians. The conviction of Russians in the divine origin and universality of their values gives them confidence that Russia must become the liberator of the nations.The author of the article expresses the opinion that the value orientations of Russians rooted at the metaphysical level regarding the messianic character of their actions in relation to other peoples, confidence in their chosenness do not provide grounds to hope for changes in these orientations as a result of a change in political, spiritual leaders or political power.