Conceptualism Philosophy of the “Biblical Time” in the Works of Jacob Druskin

Abstract

In the article the author analyzes the time ontology as noumenal relation, developed in the treatises of Ja.S. Druskin and genetically associated with the “leap” to biblical thinking implemented by L.I. Shestov. It is shown that the path of “conversion” of consciousness described by Ja.S. Druskin has the character of “inner mystery” of the soul, ascending to the counter gifts of the Spirit. This is a kind of “inner ritual” that the soul performs in every momentary effort to stand before the Creator and Judge, seeking reciprocal grace. Methodologically Ja.S. Druskin radicalizes the way of overcoming the “natural attitude” of consciousness, started by E. Husserl, and characterizes it as “philosophical paganism”, which can be overcome only by the biblical attitude of consciousness. The latter is a relation that transcends any ontology of the created world and carries out the act of returning the created “I” to its uncreated image, which is assumed as a relation to the absolute “Thou” of the Creator. This is the “personal eternity” that opens not as a logical timelessness, but as a special vision – as being in the Face of God. Exploring the architectonics of the noumenal “I – You” relationship, Ja.S. Druskin develops the philosophy of dialogue as new Philosophia prima, which includes the whole gamut of the traditional metaphysical problematics in the context of the primary absolute “I – Thou” relationship, including rethinking the category of time. In this context, the category of time acquires new eschatological meaning, since it is fi lled not with just simple duration, but with the process of human transformation – the transition from the “shadow of death” into eternity, from the state of immanent lies to the recovery of the gift of grace and the rediscovery of the image of God in man.