Russia and the West in Russian Historiosophical Thought: From Opposition to Synthesis

Abstract

The theme “Russia and the West” in Russian Slavophile and soil thought is considered not as geopolitical, but as ethical and axiological. We are talking about choosing the type of development — not only for Russia, but also for humanity as a subject of history. It is not specific geopolitical formations that are opposed, but religious principles, ideals that correlate with it. The antithesis of “Russia — the West” in the constructions of P. Ya. Chaadaev, I. V. Kireevsky, F. I. Tyutchev, F. M. Dostoevsky and others is an impetus for the search and affi rmation of a holistic, universal ideal, moving from autarky to a conciliar unity, from national isolation to universal humanity.