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THE SECOND 'TRILOGY' OF DMITRI MEREZHKOVSKI. THE ABSOLUTE POWER FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE ORTHODOX FAITH

100%

Fonseca B.

Slavia Orientalis

2005

vol. 54

issue 2

171-185

One of the principal problems that Dmitri Merezhkovski (1866-1941), a leading Russian religious writer, addresses in his novels is the questionable compatibility of absolutism with the concept of orthodox Christian religion. His second trilogy (the drama scenes 'Paul I' and the two novels 'Alexander I' and '14 December') is devoted to the theological destiny of Russia and exhibits his dilemma clearly. The primary theme of the novel 'Alexander I' is the tragic conflict - between the sovereign ruler and the Christian - which takes place in the Tsar's soul. The heart of the problem is seen to lie in the Russian nature, especially in its anarchistic tendencies that cannot be overcome by systems of legislation taken from countries with very different traditions and organization. Consequently, while the emperor may demand total obedience from his people, his power must be based on his personal integrity and sense of justice. In the novels 'Alexander I' and '14 December' Merezhkovski presents a discussion about the future development of Russia, echoing the famous dispute between the Occidentalists and Slavophils. During the 'Silver Age' this argument was not so clearly framed but the two basic tendencies are clearly discernible in the author's discussion of Russia's evolution, inevitably different from that in Western Europe because of the special, orthodox 'sobornost' mentality of the Russians - the distinctive mysticism which is difficult to define and resists rational analysis and explanation. Merezhkovski believes in the necessity of change both in the state and the church hierarchy, though he is evidently against violence. Yet, he makes it clear that the tragedy extends beyond Alexander's personal destiny to the helplessness of the Russian intelligentsia who cannot function as spiritual leaders of the nation because of the immense gap between their world outlook and that of the backward Russian people.

KOLAKOWSKI'S STRUGGLES WITH PHILOSOPHY (Kołakowskiego zmagania z filozofia)

88%

Wolenski J.

Kwartalnik Filozoficzny

2010

vol. 38

issue 2

5-23

This paper discusses Kolakowski's metaphilosophical views. Although Kolłakowski was always deeply interested in the nature of philosophy, he expressed his views on this topic rather occasionally, usually in his historical works; in fact, he published only one metaphilosophical essay, 'Zakresowe i funkcjonalne rozumienie filozofii' (The Extensional and Functional Understanding of Philosophy), 1962. Kołakowski defined philosophy by its functions in culture. He opposed any reduction of philosophy to science or another field of culture (art, religion, etc.). At the beginning, he defended a radical rationalism. Since he was afraid that this kind of rationalism implies relativism, his later view became more absolutistic. On the other hand, it is unclear whether this absolutism was genuine. Kołakowski considered uncertainty as a fundamental feature of human fate. He looked for ideas which could help people in overcome uncertainty. Thus, we should speak about images of something absolute rather than the Absolute in the traditional philosophical sense. This seems the most appropriate interpretation of Kolakowski's view about philosophy.

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1 Kwartalnik Filozoficzny

1 Slavia Orientalis

1 Fonseca B.

1 Wolenski J.

1 2010

1 2005

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THE SECOND 'TRILOGY' OF DMITRI MEREZHKOVSKI. THE ABSOLUTE POWER FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE ORTHODOX FAITH

KOLAKOWSKI'S STRUGGLES WITH PHILOSOPHY (Kołakowskiego zmagania z filozofia)