A review of a somewhat peculiar philosophy book...
This is the 10th volume of Frederick Copleston's monumental series
"History of Philosophy". This time, Copleston tackles Russian
philosophy. The volume is intended as a general overview and introduction, not
a detailed study. In my opinion, it fulfils this role admirably.
There seems to be two major differences between Russian philosophy and "regular" Western philosophy. One is the religious strand, often connected to Orthodox Christianity (although not necessarily "orthodox" in credal matters). Solovyev, Bulgakov and Berdyaev are typical examples, and both Frank and N.O. Lossky should probably be placed in this category, as well. The religiously-inspired philosophers straddle the fence between philosophy and theology proper, usually by way of Neo-Platonic and even Gnostic influences. Apparently, Berdyaev even admitted that he lacked the systematic mind typical of philosophers, and saw himself more like a visionary. But then, Solovyev and Berdyaev might strike the reader as more interesting than Heidegger or Wittgenstein!
The other (obvious) difference between Russian and Western philosophy is the strong connection to revolutionary politics. Readers might be surprised to find Lenin, Stalin and Bukharin in this volume, along more obviously philosophical people, such as Plekhanov ("the father of Russian Marxism"). Indeed, the author describes the philosophical ideas of these people, better known from other theatres, in a surprisingly charitable manner.
Lenin's main philosophical work, "Materialism and Empirio-Criticism" was written during a factional fight within the Bolshevik party. Ironically, one of the philosophers mentioned in Lenin's work, one Avenarius, would probably have been unknown today, had it not been for the Bolshevik leader's relentless attacks. As for Stalin, his bizarre pamphlet "Marxism and the Problem of Linguistics" actually made it somewhat easier for Soviet philosophers to question the most petrified Marxist dogmas...but only after the dictator himself had died! (Stalin was forced to revise Marxist theory on a number of points, in order to bring it up to date with the Soviet system, which didn't always square with Marx' own ideas.) There is also a concluding chapter on post-Stalin Soviet philosophy.
From Solovyev to Stalin. Well, how's that for an original history of philosophy book?
There seems to be two major differences between Russian philosophy and "regular" Western philosophy. One is the religious strand, often connected to Orthodox Christianity (although not necessarily "orthodox" in credal matters). Solovyev, Bulgakov and Berdyaev are typical examples, and both Frank and N.O. Lossky should probably be placed in this category, as well. The religiously-inspired philosophers straddle the fence between philosophy and theology proper, usually by way of Neo-Platonic and even Gnostic influences. Apparently, Berdyaev even admitted that he lacked the systematic mind typical of philosophers, and saw himself more like a visionary. But then, Solovyev and Berdyaev might strike the reader as more interesting than Heidegger or Wittgenstein!
The other (obvious) difference between Russian and Western philosophy is the strong connection to revolutionary politics. Readers might be surprised to find Lenin, Stalin and Bukharin in this volume, along more obviously philosophical people, such as Plekhanov ("the father of Russian Marxism"). Indeed, the author describes the philosophical ideas of these people, better known from other theatres, in a surprisingly charitable manner.
Lenin's main philosophical work, "Materialism and Empirio-Criticism" was written during a factional fight within the Bolshevik party. Ironically, one of the philosophers mentioned in Lenin's work, one Avenarius, would probably have been unknown today, had it not been for the Bolshevik leader's relentless attacks. As for Stalin, his bizarre pamphlet "Marxism and the Problem of Linguistics" actually made it somewhat easier for Soviet philosophers to question the most petrified Marxist dogmas...but only after the dictator himself had died! (Stalin was forced to revise Marxist theory on a number of points, in order to bring it up to date with the Soviet system, which didn't always square with Marx' own ideas.) There is also a concluding chapter on post-Stalin Soviet philosophy.
From Solovyev to Stalin. Well, how's that for an original history of philosophy book?
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