Alexei Khomyakov, whose biography and work are the subject of this review, was the largest representative of the Slavophile trend in science and philosophy. His literary heritage marks a whole stage in the development of socio-political thought in Russia in the 19th century. His poetic works differ in depth of thought and philosophical understanding of the development paths of our country in comparison with Western European states.
Briefly about the biography
Alexei Khomyakov was born in Moscow in 1804 in a hereditary noble family. He received a home education, passed the exam for a candidate of mathematical sciences at Moscow University. Subsequently, the future philosopher and publicist entered the military service, was a member of the troops in Astrakhan, then transferred to the capital. After some time, he left the service and took up journalism. He traveled, was engaged in painting and literature. In the first half of the 19th century, the thinker became the ideologist of the emergence of the Slavophile movement in socio-political thought. He was married to the sister of the poet Yazykov. Alexei Khomyakov fell ill while treating peasants during the epidemic, and he died from this. His son was the chairman of the III State Duma.
Features of the era
The literary activity of the scientist proceeded in an atmosphere of revitalization of socio-political thought. This was a time when there was lively debate among educated circles of society regarding the development paths of Russia, its comparison with the history of Western European countries. In the 19th century, interest was observed not only in the past, but also in the present political situation of the state in the international arena. Indeed, at that time, our country took an active part in European affairs, mastering the cultural space of Western Europe. Naturally, under such conditions, the intelligentsia became interested in determining the national, distinctive path of development of our country. Many tried to comprehend the country's past in the context of its new geopolitical position. These were the prerequisites that determined the views of the scientist.
Philosophy
Alexei Khomyakov created his own unique system of philosophical views, which, in essence, has not lost its significance to this day. His articles and works are still actively studied at historical faculties, and even at school, students are introduced to his thoughts on the features of the historical path of development of Russia.
The system of representations of the thinker on this topic is truly original. However, at first it should be noted what were his views on the world-historical process in general. This is dedicated to his unfinished work, Notes on World History. Alexei Khomyakov believed that it was based on the principle of disclosure of folk principles. Each people, in his opinion, is the bearer of a certain principle, which is revealed in the course of its historical development. In ancient times, according to the philosopher, there was a struggle between two orders: freedom and necessity. At first, European countries developed along the path of freedom, but in the 18-19 centuries deviated from this direction due to revolutionary upheavals.
About Russia
From the same general philosophical position, Khomyakov Alexei Stepanovich came up with an analysis of the history of Russia. In his opinion, the national principle of our country is the community. He understood this social institution not so much as a social organism, but as an ethical community of people connected by moral collectivism, a sense of inner freedom and truth. The thinker invested a moral content in this concept, believing that it was the community that became the material expression of the intrinsic collegiality of the Russian people. Khomyakov Alexey Stepanovich believed that the path of development of Russia is different from Western European. At the same time, he assigned the main importance to the Orthodox religion, which determines the history of our country, while the West departed from this creed.
About the beginning of states
He saw another difference in the ways in which political systems were formed in society. In the Western European states, the conquest of territories took place, while in our country the dynasty was established by calling. To the last circumstance, the author attached fundamental importance. Khomyakov Alexei Stepanovich, whose philosophy laid the foundation for the Slavophil trend, believed that this fact largely determined the peaceful development of Russia. However, he did not believe that ancient Russian history was devoid of any contradictions.
Discussion
In this regard, he disagreed with another famous and prominent representative of Slavophilism I. Kireevsky. The latter wrote in one of his articles that pre-Petrine Rus was deprived of any social contradictions. Khomyakov Aleksei Stepanovich, whose books at that time determined the development of the Slavophil movement, objected to him in the work “Concerning the article by Kireyevsky“ On the Enlightenment of Europe ”. The author believed that even in ancient Russia, a contradiction had arisen between the zemstvo, communal, regional world and the princely, state principle, which was represented by the squad. These parties did not reach a final consensus, in the end the state principle triumphed, however, collectivism persisted and manifested itself in the convocation of Zemsky Sobors, the significance of which, in the author's opinion, was that they expressed the will of the whole earth. The researcher believed that this institution, as well as the community, would subsequently determine the development of Russia.
Literary work
In addition to philosophical and historiosophical research, Khomyakov was engaged in artistic work. He owns the poetic works "Ermak", "Dmitry the Pretender." Of particular note is his poems of philosophical content. In them, the author clearly expressed his thoughts on the development paths of Russia and Western European states. He expressed the idea of a special, nationally distinctive way of development of our country. Therefore, his poetic works are patriotic. Many of them have religious themes (for example, the poem "Night"). Praising Russia, he also noted shortcomings in its socio-political structure (poem "On Russia"). His lyrics lyrical in content also contain a motive for comparing the development paths of Russia and the West (“Dream”). The poems of Alexei Khomyakov allow a better understanding of his historiosophical concept of historical development.
The value of creativity
The role of this philosopher in the socio-political life of Russia in the 19th century is enormous. It was he who became the founder of the Slavophil current in our country. His article “On the Old and the New” laid the foundation for the thoughts of a number of thinkers about the features of the development of history. Following him, many philosophers turned to the development of the theme of national features of Russia (brothers Aksakov, Pogodin and others). The contribution to the historiosophical thought of Khomyakov is enormous. He posed the problem of the features of the historical path of Russia at the philosophical level. None of the scientists had made such broad generalizations before, although the author cannot be called a historian in the full sense, since he was interested in general concepts and generalizations, rather than specific material. Nevertheless, his conclusions and conclusions are very interesting for understanding the socio-political thought of the time in question.