The End of Russian Philosophy : Tradition and Transition at the Turn of the 21st Century

The early 1990s saw a dramatic rise of optimism in philosophy in Russia, a rise marked by the triumphant return of Russian religious philosophy, the founding of new independent philosophy journals, and the introduction of academic freedom following nearly 75 years of Soviet rule. Already by the mid-2000s, however, the enthusiasm of the 1990s regarding the state of philosophy in Russia had given way to widespread pessimism, with Russia's philosophers regularly denying the existence of the discipline altogether. __The End of Russian Philosophy__ describes and evaluates the troubled state of philosophy in Russia in the post-Soviet decades, as Russia's thinkers find themselves caught between two incompatible definitions of philosophy: a nineteenth-century model of Russian philosophy as essentially Russian and a universal conception of philosophy as a profession without geographical or denominational allegiances. Thus, as a new generation of scholars, alongside their Western colleagues, seeks to revive philosophy as a universal and professionalized discipline, the Russian intellectual climate of the twenty-first century has become identifiable by a preoccupation with what may be the end of the nationalist narrative in Russian philosophy. The Early 1990s Saw A Dramatic Rise Of Optimism In Philosophy In Russia, A Rise Marked By The Triumphant Return Of Russian Religious Philosophy, The Founding Of New Independent Philosophy Journals, And The Introduction Of Academic Freedom Following Nearly 75 Years Of Soviet Rule. Already By The Mid-2000s, However, The Enthusiasm Of The 1990s Regarding The State Of Philosophy In Russia Had Given Way To Widespread Pessimism, With Russia's Philosophers Regularly Denying The Existence Of The Discipline Altogether. The End Of Russian Philosophy Describes And Evaluates The Troubled State Of Philosophy In Russia In The Post-soviet Decades, As Russia's Thinkers Find Themselves Caught Between Two Incompatible Definitions Of Philosophy: A Nineteenth-century Model Of Russian Philosophy As Essentially Russian And A Universal Conception Of Philosophy As A Profession Without Geographical Or Denominational Allegiances. Thus, As A New Generation Of Scholars, Alongside Their Western Colleagues, Seeks To Revive Philosophy As A Universal And Professionalized Discipline, The Russian Intellectual Climate Of The Twenty-first Century Has Become Identifiable By A Preoccupation With What May Be The End Of The Nationalist Narrative In Russian Philosophy.--publisher Description. Introduction -- 1. What Is Russian Philosopy? -- 2. The Philosopical Boom : The 1990s -- 3. Writing The History Of Russian Philosopy -- 4. The End Of The History Of Russian Philosopy : The 2000s -- 5. The End Of The Russian Idea : Sergey Horujy And Valery Podoroga -- 6. The End Of The Intelligentsia : The Future Of The Philosopher In Russia -- Conclusion : A Holiday For Russian Philosopy. Alyssa Deblasio. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 193-208) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-14 What Is Russian Philosophy?....Pages 15-39 The Philosophical Boom: The 1990s....Pages 40-62 Writing the History of Russian Philosophy....Pages 63-83 The End of the History of Russian Philosophy: The 2000s....Pages 84-104 The End of the Russian Idea: Sergey Horujy and Valery Podoroga....Pages 105-136 The End of the Intelligentsia: The Future of the Philosopher in Russia....Pages 137-159 Conclusion: A Holiday for Russian Philosophy....Pages 160-161 Back Matter....Pages 162-216 The End of Russian Philosophy describes and evaluates the troubled state of Russian philosophical thought in the post-Soviet decades. The book suggests that in order to revive philosophy as a universal, professional discipline in Russia, it may be necessary for Russian philosophy to first do away with the messianic traditions of the 19th century.