Description
This module studies the Russian tradition of thought from the Enlightenment at the end of the eighteenth century through to the early twentieth century. At the centre of this tradition are questions of human nature and experience, and themes/topics covered include the individual and society, reason and faith, the meaning of love, Russian identity, existentialism, time and utopianism. The module takes in broad currents of thought, such as the debate between Slavophiles and Westernisers, nihilism, anarchism and populism, and also individual thinkers such as Chaadaev, Herein, Chernyshevskii, Dostoevskii, Tolstoi, Solov'ev, Fedorov, Rozanov and Berdiaev. At appropriate points the module makes connections with Russian literature, as well as offering a brief outline of the European philosophical context. The module takes in a wide range of writings; much of the reading can be done in translation, but much can also be done in Russian, especially as there are some marvellous writers in this tradition.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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