Evlampiev, I. I. European Tradition in Modern Russian Philosophy

Abstract: The article provides a description of several bright Russian philosophers of the modern times who can be also called modern Westerners. It is shown that in their creative work the above mentioned philsophers manage to combine Western philosophical concepts with the traditional ideas of Russian philosophy. One of the brightest philosophers of the late Soviet era was Merab Mamardashvili. The most important Mamardashvili’s concept was the close connection betwee personality and the world: on one hand, world depends on personality and this is why classical rationality cannot be applied to it. On the other hand, personality must admit its dependence on the ‘divine dimension’ of the world. Vladimir Bibikhin proved that the main quality of personality is not isolation but opennness for the world. Based on that concept, Bibikin critisized Western civilization. Developing Friedrich Nietzsche’s and Oswald Spengler’s ideas, Karen Swassjan aso talked about incovertible crisis of Western culture. Just like Bibikhin he insisted that the crisis was caused by distortion of the Christian outlook which had happened in the history of church. The author also described creative development of another modern philospher and writer – Vladimir Kantor. Kantor viewed Russian history as the opposition between environmental powers and civilization. In his opinion, progressive development of Russia depends on gradual introduction of the concept of right into social life which would tame the power of people’s life and despotism of government.

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