Pessimism and Prophetism of Konstantin Leontyev Cover Image

Песимизам и профетизам Константина Леонтјева
Pessimism and Prophetism of Konstantin Leontyev

Author(s): Miodrag Čizmović
Subject(s): Philosophy of Religion, Eastern Orthodoxy
Published by: Православни богословски факултет „Свети Василије Острошки“
Keywords: Pessimism; instability of the world; prophetic spirit; falsehood of progress; conservative attitude; Europe; future of Russia; end of humankind; eternity; meta-historical solution;

Summary/Abstract: Leontyev insists that the end of the world is inevitable. The history must end, while the solution of historical meaning is meta-historical. According to Leontyev, Christ has never promised equality or justice on Earth; on the contrary, He often emphasized that, by the end of the history, evil will grow and human hearts will become cold. Leontyev also insists that the ideas of progress and endless perfecting, as well as postulates of French Revolution (brotherhood and equality), are false and vague. Dark future awaits Europe, if it is based on these demagogical platitudes. Leontyev advocates for the idea of healthy conservative attitude that can solely preserve the values of the past. The only meaning of life is salvation of one’s own soul, as Leontyev emphasized. However, before the end of history, Russia will enter the period of dominance and renaissance.

  • Issue Year: 2016
  • Issue No: 15
  • Page Range: 74-80
  • Page Count: 7
  • Language: Serbian