K.N. Leontiev and A.F. Losev: similarities and consonances. Losev as a follower of Leontiev

Abstract

The article aims to show the similarities in views in the historiosophical and
socio-political sphere between such Russian thinkers as K.N. Leontiev and A.F. Losev. This subject is quite unexpected, because Losev is usually perceived as a follower of V.S. Solovyov, whose views and methodology were in many ways opposed to the ideas of such “a lone thinker” as K.N. Leontiev. However, if we take the subject of the analysis of Losev’s works of “pre-camp period”, we can see distinct similarities between Losev and Leontiev in the views of feudal­ism and capitalism, the middle Ages and Modern times, the role of the Church and science, etc. They were also united by the approach to culture as a single whole type, when the economy and social life are typologically and stylistically seen as the same in aesthetics, art, morals and household mores, etc. Therefore, Losev in the socio-political sphere and historiosophy can be considered as a kind of follower and even like-minded to K.N. Leontiev. The author separately touches the theme of similarities and differences between the views of Leontiev and Losev on socialism and communism. He concludes that the generality of their views on these subjects in this period, as well as the fact that Losev can also be counted among the supporters of Byzantium, is largely due to the type of their Christian-Church consciousness. It is not a mere coincidence that they are the only prominent Russian religious thinkers who took the monastic vows.