Russian Irrationalism from Pushkin to Brodsky

Russia, once compared to a giant sphinx, is often considered in the Anglophone world an alien culture, often threatening, and always enigmatic. Although recognisably European, Russian culture also has Oriental and mystical features, including the idiosyncratic phenomenon of Russian irrationalism. This is manifested in philosophy, theology and the arts, most notably in literature. It thrives in Russia, even today. Historically, Russian irrationalism has been viewed with caution in the West, where it is often seen as antagonistic to, and subversive of, the rational foundations of Western speculative philosophy. However, some remarkable achievements of the Russian irrationalist approach, especially in the artistic sphere, have been recognized and even admired, though perhaps not thoroughly investigated. This book attempts to bridge this gap between intellectual cultures, and to enhance our understanding of Russian cultural history. In a series of essays it discusses such fundamental irrationalist themes as the linguistic underpinning of culture; the power of illusion in national consciousness; the cultural roots of humour; the changing relationship between love and morality, and between creative impulse and religion; as well as the relevance of various individual writers and philosophers from Pushkin to Brodsky to the construction of Russian irrationalism. By shining focused light on the phenomenon of Russian irrationalism, this book offers privileged access to the Russian cultural consciousness.