The identity of each individual ethnic group is very unique. The Russian people, which boasts not only an original culture, but also an amazingly deep and rich history, are no exception. At one point, all of our wealth was united in the so-called Russian idea. This is a term that characterizes us as an ethnic group that has its own traditions and history. Well, let's deal with this concept and all its nuances in more detail.
General definition
So, in the generally accepted sense, the Russian idea is a set of definitions that express the features of historical education and the special vocation of our people. This term has a deep philosophical meaning, and more precisely, is the basis of the philosophy of the national people. The Russian national idea also plays the role of a kind of prism through which our writers, poets, artists and thinkers see the world.
It is important to understand that this term did not appear in everyday life as a strict postulate or dogma. The Russian idea is, rather, a metaphor or a symbol that has become a reflection of everything that has been connected with our people in the global context for centuries.
The origins of the term
The first very veiled and vague references to the ideas of the Russian people originated in the writings of the monk Fiolefey in the 16th century. He became the author of the famous concept "Moscow - the Third Rome", which is still being discussed in society. In short, Philotheus conferred such a loud title on the principality of Moscow during its prosperity, namely, from the moment the reign of John III began. Supporters of the concept considered all the princes who held their supreme position as heirs of the Byzantine and Roman emperors. We also note that, according to the writings of the monk, all the ideas of Russian culture at that time towered above the ideas of other existing nationalities. So from the Moscow principality they wanted to make a super-state, popularizing all its attributes and the heritage of the ordinary, simple people.
It must be said that such a radical development of the Russian idea has become a good bulwark for the formation of further national consciousness. The period of the Moscow principality’s existence is also called the “Golden Age of Russian Holiness”, since it was then that religion reached its peak in our country, and cultural life was closely intertwined with it. All this formed the so-called Russian catalog of ideas, which were based on religion.
Chaadaev's background
The history of the Russian idea continued only three centuries later. The people stood on the threshold of something new, everyone felt that the old, familiar rhythm of life needed to be changed. After the epochal uprising of the Decembrists in 1825, the key issues of the Russian national idea were again raised by Peter Chaadaev in his famous Philosophical Notes. He was the first to decide not just to describe, so to speak, in two dimensions the essence and characteristics of our people, but to think about his mission and calling. An important point is that Chaadaev assessed the isolation of the Russian people from everyone else exclusively in a negative way. However, over time, he realized that the true Russian idea is neither good nor bad, it must be taken for granted and try to fully understand your identity. For clarity, you can quote his brief statement, which was published in the journal Telescope in 1836: "We do not belong either to the West or to the East. We are an exclusive people."
Regarding Chaadayev himself, the following can be said. He was under constant scrutiny by the tsarist police, since his anti-monarchist writings and very daring considerations pretty much angered the ruling Nicholas the First at that time. Despite all this, his essays were published in magazines and issued as memoirs; the broad masses of people had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the judgments of such a free-thinking author. Thanks to Chaadaev, one can say that the Russian idea appeared in Russia, as people began to think one after another about who they are in this world, what they are destined for and how they will live on.
Further development
Soon the Russian idea appeared in Russian literature. For the first time he used this term "soul" of all domestic writers - Fedor Dostoevsky, who certainly knew what our country and its people really are. The following words written by him in 1861 belong to the ingenious author: "We predict that the nature of our future activities should be highly universal, that the Russian idea, perhaps, will be a synthesis of all those ideas which it develops with such perseverance and courage Europe in its separate nationalities."
Of course, Dostoevsky does not formulate a clear definition of the term, but presents it in the context, as if referring to these words as a matter of course. But it is in the creations of this author that we see our being, our people, their customs and mores as they really are. In the novels of Dostoevsky, the Russian idea of the 19th century is clearly formulated, which, as it turned out later, is not only a symbol of that time, but the eternal banner of Russia.
Our abroad
In 1888, Europe, and subsequently the whole world, first learned what it is and that the Russian idea exists in general. Solovyov Vladimir - a Russian publicist, philosopher, thinker and poet published an article that was called “Russian Idea”. He presented his thoughts on this subject through the prism of religion, again raising the question of the purpose of our people. Here is one of the key quotes of this author: "The national idea is not what the nation thinks of itself in time, but what God thinks of it in eternity."
It was Solovyov’s “Russian Idea” that became the reason for interethnic discussions on this subject. At the international level, in the community of thinkers and philosophers, questions began to be raised about how directly Russian culture and history influenced the development of the West and the East. And also to what extent our nation was able to absorb the traditions of other ethnic groups, which became a bulwark for the creation of something new.
Vladimir Solovyov himself defines the development of the Russian idea according to three simple principles:
- The first principle is centripetal, suppressing all diversity. This trait is borrowed from the East.
- The second principle is centrifugal, which gives freedom to individualism, selfishness and anarchy. The line is borrowed from the West.
- The third principle is Slavism as a bearer of the two previous extremes, as a “sponge” that absorbed only the best from the West and East and synthesized it into something new.
According to the thinker, it is Russia that must lay the foundations of a global theocracy based on the principles described above.
Followers of this concept
The onset of the new, twentieth century, for Russia has become a fatal period in history. The revolution, two wars, constant hunger and scarcity did not allow thinkers to reach their full potential and convey to the tormented people the same bright thoughts. Nevertheless, in 1946, Nikolai Berdyaev’s book, The Russian Idea, was published. He can be called the one of a kind follower of Solovyov, who wisely and taking into account the new time presented to the world the consensus of the existence of the Russian people and their mission.
The book provides the reader with the opportunity to look at the "Russian idea" through the prism of history and religion. Based on his research, the author draws the following conclusions, which can be called a brief review of his work: "The nature of the Russian people is very polarized. It is characterized by humility and renunciation, and rebellion, which requires justice. There is a place for compassion and pity, but along with they are cruel. The Russian people are characterized by a love of freedom, but they are prone to slavery. But most importantly, the Russian man has a special love for the earth, and the earth itself is different than in the West. He is alien to the mysticism of blood or ethnicity, but is inherent mist ka land."
The essence of the work of Berdyaev
The Russian idea for this author, as well as for his predecessor Solovyov, is a global issue. Berdyaev reveals it through God and religion, but also makes a huge bet on the self-consciousness of Russian people. The author claims that the Russian people do not like the device that is characteristic of this world, and rejects it in every way. And he is striving to create a certain City of the Coming, New Jerusalem, which will unite all races, unite people of the whole planet and become the embodiment of the Holy Spirit. All this is the very plan of God, the very purpose and idea that the Russian people and the land on which they live carry. It is Russia, being both in the West and in the East, that can become the gateway to a new era and a new world.
Opinions of other philosophers
It is expanded, in the form of work or a book, or briefly about the Russian idea, many Russian thinkers have spoken out. Among them, the words of Ivan Ilyin, who was a fierce opponent of the Soviet regime and believed that this regime of government suppresses the essence and purpose of the Russian people, deserve special attention. It is worth noting that, unlike Solovyov and Berdyaev, Ilyin does not offer to consider all aspects of being and culture, but forms an image of national unity, choosing only the brightest and best of what is inherent in him. The statements of this philosopher can be cited: “The Russian idea is something that is already inherent in our people, in which they are right in the sight of God and in which they are distinctive and stand out among other nationalities. At the same time, this points to our historical task and It’s all that we need to adopt from our ancestors and pass on to our children, that we need to grow and develop in all spheres of life - in culture, everyday life, religion, art and laws. The Russian idea is something living, simple and creative. She embodied the most amenatelnye times for our country, it is reflected in the most noble people and their no less tangible actions."
We derive the general philosophical formula of the term
Against the background of the foregoing, we can formulate the so-called catalog of ideas in Russian, about the Russian people and about the Russian land, which originates from the origins of the formation of the state and ends with the latest time. What exactly are the aspects included in the Russian idea?
- Love for the motherland, which goes hand in hand with patriotism.
- The historical mission of the Russian state and its mission. The revival of the concept of “Moscow - the Third Rome”, as well as the assertion that the Russian people are the messiah.
- Features of the historical path of Russia, intersection with other cultures and nationalities and a synthesis of traditions.
- The specifics of the existence of the Russian people or, as they say, the "Russian soul".
- The values that are inherent in this "soul" are national and universal.
- The role of the state and the intelligentsia in the formation of the foundations of being.
It turns out that the Russian idea is an inextricable circle that includes all aspects of the life of our country. It begins at the foot, that is, in the everyday life and everyday life of any ordinary person. And ends in the ruling elite and close to it. It is the relationship of these two, so to speak, layers, as well as the thread of religion that permeates the entire history of the people, that form the very identity and place that Russia occupies in the world.
Russian identity and its features
A very important role in the formation of the idea of any ethnic group and its culture is played by the self-awareness of each individual person. Like it or not, no matter how special and unique a person as a person may be, he lives in society, therefore, follows more the stereotypes and judgments inherent in this society. It is precisely by these criteria that other ethnic groups and communities (or nations), different from ours, identify us and determine among many others. What are the features of Russian identity? What is typical for us?
- Mysticism. He is literally saturated with our whole history and life. The basis for the emergence of mysticism was the teachings of St. Gregory Palamas (Hesychasm), which appeared in the late Byzantine period. The main ideas of work were: cognition of the extra-insensitive world, clever prayer, the possibility of perceiving the energy of God, silence, etc. All this back in those days, was closely intertwined with the so-called "Russian searches" and was reflected in religion and in everyday life. I must say that later all these basics of religion were synthesized with concepts such as “ratios” and “feelings”. Most likely, this is why the spiritual life of the Russian people is more united and integral than in the West.
- Historicism The most important trump card of the Russian people, most likely, is its history. Moreover, such a feature was inherent in him not only in recent years, but also in very distant times. History, in turn, is closely intertwined again with religion, and these two concepts form already a new philosophy, which becomes a mirror of the people. The most striking example of historical-sacred thought is the idea of collegiality.
- Aestheticism. It manifests itself already in the more secular spheres of life, such as art, philosophy, morality. The most striking examples of the manifestation of the Russian idea in art, we have already briefly touched. These are the works of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, poems and stories of other authors, as well as articles and works of thinkers.
The global meaning of the concept
Today is characterized as the era of globalism. For this reason, the Russian idea right now can become a semantic component. In other words, due to the establishment of a unique, distinctive and very multifaceted concept of the Russian people, the whole planet can be spiritually enriched, which will lead to the unity of the people throughout the world. Why precisely at the expense of a single state - Russia? You should look at the root of the idea of this country:
- First of all, the priority of unity of the whole world is visible.
- The values prevailing by the Russian idea are generally accepted. This is freedom, justice, fraternity, tolerance, solidarity, the absence of violence, etc.
The fact is that the spiritual priorities of any other state or ethnic group are currently very fragmented. People are focused on their own, autonomous, so to speak, dogmas, beliefs and truths, which most often run counter to many other arguments. But Russian culture, which for centuries has been closely intertwined with religion and spirituality, has become a single substance. Moreover, it absorbed the origins of various other cultures, which to a greater extent enriched it and made it multifaceted. That is why, both earlier and now it is believed that the Russian idea is the very postulate of unity that will open the door to something new for the whole world, and not just for its own country.
How is geopolitics related to this?
Some philosophers, in particular A. L. Yanov, put forward the following thought. If the Russian people are seen as a kind of messiah for the whole world, and they are considered in this context regarding the political borders of the state, then this is pure chauvinism. However, this judgment did not become a turning point in the history of the Russian idea. Many other thinkers, relying not only on their works, but also on the achievements of their predecessors, pointed out the fact that this term does not determine the relationship of the people with the state. This concept is deeper, which covers a whole spectrum of life, the formation of a nationality, its customs and traditions, as well as the formation of popular strata.
Russian idea in a modern context
If we consider everything through the prism of culture, philosophy and morality, then not only modern Russia, but the whole world that we can see today, is on the edge of the abyss. The most important spiritual values have been lost, there is no unity of faith, commitment to something, traditions and cultural heritage are scattered before our eyes. Under such conditions, it is the Russian idea that acquires a special meaning and becomes extremely important for understanding. If people "wake up" in time and turn their eyes to the very idea of unity, harmony and prosperity, then humanity will be able to open new doors, move into a new era, become an order of magnitude higher, smarter, spiritual and richer. As we see ourselves, for the time being these deep and extremely wise thoughts, if they break into the "sinful" world, they are competing with hundreds of resistances there. Perhaps in the near future people will be able to find the strength to revive national unity and remember what the history of their people was and what culture can teach.
The specifics of Russian philosophy
Well, now it's time to expound the basic ideas of Russian philosophy, according to which the people live and, based on which, thinkers and philosophers created their famous works.
- The Russian idea is closely connected with Hellenism, whose origins are in Greek Christianity.
- The people are given special attention.
- The problems of morality, law and good stand out especially brightly.
- A person is considered as a particle of the world, as its indispensable mechanism. Personality is never opposed to nature.
- Particular attention is paid to experience and intuition.
- The development of such a thing as collegiality. This implies the unification of all people who are willing to join God voluntarily, on the basis of love for the Almighty. There are a number of spiritual values that allow each person to feel part of God's plan and at the same time remain himself. It is worth noting that in Western spiritual teachings the bearer of spirituality, as a rule, is the patriarch or the clergy. For the Russian idea, such a definition is alien, therefore the stronghold of religion is considered directly the church or God himself.
- Of course, religiosity is the main idea of Russian philosophy. It is present not only in the writings of thinkers, but also in creativity, in particular in fiction of such authors as Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, etc.
- The phenomenon that is characteristic of the Russian idea is the formation at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century of such a concept as a philosophical and artistic complex.
The disadvantages of Russian philosophy
The idea, calling to unite people of the whole world under one banner, which is alien to violence, fear and hatred, of course, sounds very attractive and promising. However, alas, she had flaws, because of which she still can not fully reveal. How can the minuses of the Russian idea or philosophy be characterized?
- Lack of taxonomy. All concepts are very blurry, they lack accuracy. They have a tremendous philosophical load, but are far from always applicable in practice.
- Incompleteness. The philosophers of whom we spoke above dared only to state their thoughts on paper, to provide people with spiritual food for reasoning. But they did not form all of this into a single postulate, with which one could be guided.
- Underestimation of rational designs. The whole essence of the Russian idea comes down to spirituality and religion. But in the course of these thoughts, we forget that the real world is completely different and lives, rather, according to the "Western" rules, rather than according to the laws of unity and friendship.
The Russian idea, undoubtedly, needs to be improved, but its essence is the very core that everyone who is interested in making our world a better, brighter and kinder one must adhere to.
