Russian Thinkers of the XI–XIII Centuries on Justice

Abstract

The article examines the ideas of medieval thinkers of the XI–XIII centuries about justice as the main function of the head of state – the Grand Duke. For an adequate understanding of their views, it is necessary to find out the origin and historical meaning of the main terms used by thinkers: “law”, “truth” and “justice”. Initially, the terms “law” and “truth” denoted concepts similar in content, but with the adoption of Christianity under the influence of doctrinal dogmas, the term “law” as a result of its sacralization expanded the scope of its content. They began to denote high values of religious status: the Laws of God, the Laws of Jesus Christ, the Laws of Ecumenical Councils, etc. At the same time, the legal nature of the law did not disappear, but was combined with the moral and ethical commandments of Christianity, which fully corresponded to the concept of sin as a violation primarily of the Divine Commandments, so the moral norms of Christianity, but also the laws of secular the authorities. However, the highest sacred concept of the law led to the fact that in everyday vocabulary princely decrees and orders were called princely “truth” [“Russian Truth” or “Тhe Truth of Yaroslav” (XI century.); “The Truth of Yaroslavich” (XII century)]. Justice as a religious and philosophical category was placed above all concepts and actions of people, since it was defined as “the property of Jesus Christ” embodied in the Gospel commandments. Every Christian should strive to achieve justice by steadily fulfilling all the Commandments of Jesus Christ in all spheres of political and legal activity, as well as personal life. Russian Russian medieval thinkers formulated their idea of justice on this religious and political basis, referring to the Books of the Bible, as well as the Byzantine and original Russian writings spread in Russia, presented in the article.