IDEAS OF EUROPEAN ENLIGHTENMENT IN THE WORKS OF HRYHORIY SKOVORODA

Abstract

The main ideas of European enlighteners, reflected in the works of Hryhoriy Skovoroda, are considered. We are talking about demands for freedom of personality, recognition of the equality of people based on natural law, anticlericalism, criticism of superstitions, rituals, declaration of art, in particular literature, as a bearer of moral virtues and an educator of morality. The European Enlightenment also affirmed the cult of reason and knowledge, faith in eternal progress based on the development of education and science, and the cult of a wise ruler – a philosopher on the throne. In the works of the Ukrainian philosopher, we observe his own, original interpretation of such ideas. Instead of the cult of reason as knowledge, Skovoroda preaches wisdom as prudence. Hryhoriy Skovoroda lived in the Enlightenment era, but only a few researchers regarded him as a figure of this era. The reason was his lack of interest in the achievements of science and worldly knowledge. The philosopher believed that the main thing for a person is self-knowledge, the disclosure of their inner nature in order to determine the predisposition to their related work, which will lead to happiness. However, his works reflect the main ideas of the European Enlightenment.