Reflections on Russian Philosophy: on Some Western Stereotypes of Its Perception and Its Place in the History of World Philosophical Thought

Abstract

The article addresses the question of the uniqueness of Russian philosophy and its place in the world philosophical process. It surveys contemporary stereotypes in the perception of Russian philosophical thought in Anglophone studies and examines the history of their formation under the influence of the works of Isa­iah Berlin, in particular, his well-known book Russian Thinkers (1978). The author identifies and discusses a number of characteristics of Russian philosophical thought, which can rightfully be considered its important features that distin­guish it from other philosophical traditions. The article argues that Russian phi­losophy is an integral part of the development of the world philosophical process and, therefore, it cannot and shall not be considered outside its context. Only an open philosophical dialogue and active intellectual and ingenious cooperation with other cultures and philosophical traditions create the conditions necessary for both an adequate assessment of the originality of Russian philosophical thought and the further advance of Russian philosophy.