I. Kant and Russian Symbolism: Criticism of the “Enchanted Distance”

Cover Page

Cite item

Abstract

The research explores the ways of Kantianism reception in Russian symbolism philosophy. The emphasis is made on the philosophical systems of V.S. Solovyov, A. Bely, V.I. Ivanov and P.A. Florensky as the most holistically reflecting the development of epistemological, aesthetic, and general theoretical tendencies of the symbolist school, whose representatives are united by the similarity of critical positions regarding the teachings of I. Kant, which indicates the homogeneity of symbolist philosophy itself in its relation to transcendental idealism. The Kantian influence is analyzed, firstly, through the symbolist philosophy of culture disclosure and the influence of Marburg school neo-Kantianism on it, secondly, by identifying the foundations of the Silver Age mythocentric metaphysics with its unique ethical paradigm, thirdly, through solving the problem of antinomianism in the theory of cult as a space of religious creativity. Evolution peculiarity of Kantian influence on symbolism is explicated from the absolute acceptance of the criticism concepts of pure reason and the ability of judgment to their complete denial and search for the possibility of resolving antinomianism through the specific mission of social aesthetics. It is argued that with Kant's strong influence on the development of symbolist aesthetics, the symbolists themselves are looking for ways to bridge the gap between the world of noumenons and phenomena in it, noting the special role of theurgic creativity and the concept of catholicity consciousness. This makes it possible to understand the philosophy of symbolism as a counterargument system when posing the problem of the noumenal reality incomprehensibility. It is concluded that the symbolist criticism of Kantianism is generally religious and mystical-intuitionistic in general, justifying the possibility of comprehending the noumenal world as a principle of spiritual doing.

About the authors

Dmitry D. Romanov

RUDN University

Author for correspondence.
Email: romanov_dd@pfur.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6715-3448
SPIN-code: 2163-5966

PhD in Philosophy, Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

6 Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198, Moscow, Russian Federation

References

  1. Rockmore T. Remarks on Russian Philosophy, Soviet Philosophy, and Historicism. Diogenes. 2009;56(2–3):84–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/0392192109336381
  2. Mashukova EY. Problems of Russian original philosophy formation in 19th century. Vestnik russkoj hristianskoj gumanitarnoj akademii. 2016;17(3):156–168. (In Russian).
  3. Dlugach TB. Problem of time in philosophy of I. Kant and P. Florensky. In: Kamensky ZA, Zhuchkov VA, editors. Kant and philosophy in Russia. Moscow: Nauka publ.; 1994. P. 186–212. (In Russian).
  4. Frank SL. Collected works. Moscow: Pravda publ.; 1990. (In Russian).
  5. Bely A, Blok AA. Correspondence. 1903–1919. Moscow: Progress-Pleyada publ.; 2001. (In Russian).
  6. Blok AA. Verses. Poems. Theatre. Moscow: Hudozhestvennaya literatura publ.; 1968. (In Russian).
  7. Fedyaev DM, Gornova GV. Immanuel Kant and Alexandr Blok about border problem: views from Kenigsberg and Petersburg. Vestnik Omskogo gosudarstvennogo pedagogicheskogo universiteta. 2023;39(2):61–67. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.36809/2309-9380-2023-39-61-67
  8. Bely A. Self-aware soul. Moscow: Kanon + publ.; 2004. (In Russian).
  9. Dmitrieva NA. Russian Neokantianism: "Marburg" in Russia. Historical and philosophical essays. Moscow: ROSSPEN publ.; 2007. (In Russian).
  10. Solovyov VS. Works in 2 vol. Vol. 2. Moscow: Mysl’ publ.; 1990. (In Russian).
  11. Horuzhij SS. The philosophical symbolism of P.A. Florensky and his life origins. In: Isupov KG, editor. P.A. Florensky: pro et contra. Saint-Petersburg: Izdatelstvo RHGI publ.; 1996. P. 525–558. (In Russian).
  12. Bely A. Symbolism. Moscow: Musaget publ.; 1910. (In Russian).
  13. Bely A, Metner M. Letters 1902–1915. Vol. 2: 1910–1915. Мoscow: Novoe Literaturnoe obozrenie publ.; 2017. (In Russian).
  14. Stepun FA. Open letter to Andrey Bely about the article «Circular movement». Trudy I dni. 1912;(5–6): 74–86. (In Russian).
  15. Shmitt A. Conception of Andrey Bely’s «Self-aware soul»: synthesis of Kant’s early reception with Steiner's teaching and esoteric practice. RUDN Journal of Philosophy. 2020;24(2):201–218. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-2302-2020-24-2-201-218
  16. Stepun FA. Mystical worldview. Five images of Russian symbolism. Moscow: Vladimir Dal’ publ.; 2012. (In Russian).
  17. Stepun FA. Bolshevism and Christian existence. Selected works. Moscow; Saint-Petersburg: Centr gumanitarnykh initsiativ publ.; 2017. (In Russian).
  18. Astakhov OY. Creative activity in the epistemology of symbolism by Andrey Bely (based on the article “Emblematics of Meaning. Prerequisites for symbolism theory”). Vestnik Chelyabinskoj gosudarstvennoj akademii kul’tury i iskusstv. 2015;(1):55–61. (In Russian).
  19. Bely A. Symbolism as a world understanding. Moscow: Respublika publ.; 1994. (In Russian).
  20. Ljunggren M. Poetry and psychiatry. Boston: Academic studies press; 2014.
  21. Malmstad J. Spirit of symbolism. London: Cornell University press; 1987.
  22. Bely A. Petersburg. Moscow: AST publ.; 2007. (In Russian).
  23. Bely A. Self-aware soul formation history. Moscow: IMLI RAN publ.; 2020. (In Russian).
  24. Solovyov VS. Works in 2 vol. Vol. 1. Moscow: Mysl’ publ.; 1990. (In Russian).
  25. Bychkov VV. Estetika. Moscow: Gardariki publ.; 2005. (In Russian).
  26. Kalinnikov LA. Kant in Russian Philosophical Culture. Kaliningrad: Izdat. RGU im. I. Kanta publ.; 2005. (In Russian).
  27. Ivanov VI. Collected works in 4 vol. Vol. 2. Brussels: Foyer Oriental Chretien publ.; 1974. (In Russian).
  28. Kant I. Works in 6 vol. Vol. 5. Moscow: Mysl’ publ.; 1966. (In Russian).
  29. Ivanov VI. Collected works in 4 vol. Vol. 3. Brussels: Foyer Oriental Chretien publ.; 1971–1987. (In Russian).
  30. Florensky PA. Collected works. Philosophy of cult. Moscow: Mysl’ publ.; 2004. (In Russian).
  31. Florensky PA. Works in 4 vol. Vol. 2. Moscow: Mysl’ publ.; 1996. (In Russian).

Copyright (c) 2024 Romanov D.D.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

This website uses cookies

You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website.

About Cookies