Between Locality and Globality: The Problems of the History of Philosophy in Lithuania

Ruta Marija Vabalaite

doi:10.31649/sent40.02.046

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of the local and global significance of Lithuanian philosophy. We discuss questions related to the meaning of the very concept of Lithuanian philosophy and evaluation of its scope. A controversy whether to cover all philosophical works written in the territories of historical Lithuania or to include only the works of ethnic Lithuanians (or at least the works written in Lithuanian) is talked over. The problem of the priorities in determining the relevant sources of the history of philosophy in Lithuania is described by pointing to the complexity of an assessment as the importance of the text for the development of Lithuanian self-awareness or its social significance scarcely coincide with its impact on global philosophy. The question of the priority of the texts written in the national language versus the translations of the main heritage of Western philosophy is addressed. We proceed further with a description of the works and the authors related to Lithuania and at the same time relevant to the philosophy of Europe, or at least neighbouring countries. The characteristics of the creative opposition between Protestant and Counter-Reformation thinkers is given. Martinus Smiglecius book on Logics and the main figures in the reception of German classical philosophy are discussed. Finally, the philosophical aspects of Litvak Judaism and their research are referred to.

Highlights

Lithuanian tradition of philosophy has a quite long history, starting with the studies of noblemen in oldest European universities, continuing with the establishment of higher schools in its one territory, receptions of European philosophical heritage and an effort to contribute to its ongoing development
There exists a controversy whether to cover all philosophical works written in the territories of historical Lithuania or to include only the works of ethnic Lithuanians
We might recognize that in the initial epoch philosophy in Lithuania did not differ from philosophical teaching in West European academic institutions

Summary

Introduction

Lithuanian tradition of philosophy has a quite long history, starting with the studies of noblemen in oldest European universities, continuing with the establishment of higher schools in its one territory, receptions of European philosophical heritage and an effort to contribute to its ongoing development. There are some open questions related to the meaning of the very concept of Lithuanian philosophy, evaluation of its scope and setting its periods. Considering the small number of present-day Lithuanian authors and their readers, the problem of the local and global significance of Lithuanian philosophy reveals itself to be rather complex. The research project “The Local Contexts of Global Philosophies” is relevant for an apprehending and evaluating our national philosophical tradition, clarifying the activities of scholars, who “have made a notable contribution to the development of philosophy [...] through the assimilation and rethinking of global philosophical discussions” [Yosypenko, Khoma 2020: 6]

Problems and questions

The most prominent period and the most famous philosopher

Experts in German classical philosophy and their influence

The scholar of global fame and not yet studied by Lithuanian philosophers

Conclusions