Shestov And Fondane: Life Beyond Morals

Abstract

Le'on Shestov's writings often touch those of Benjamin Fondane, his disciple. The two writers were bound by a strong friendship, and Fondane's philosophy remained close to that of his teacher in spite of a few differences. Some of these will be presented in this essay. Fondane, born in Romania in 1898, had a special interest in Shestov's writings since 1923, the year he published in Bucharest his first impressions on Les Rv1lations de la mort. Fondane was deeply influenced by Shestov's thinking, which he declared to be of a significance not replicated since Pascal. Their first encounter in Paris (at the home of Jules de Gaultier) was an unexpected surprise for Fondane. Soon thereafter, Shestov realized that his young friend could understand his philosophy at a much deeper level than any of his previous admirers: Je suis tellement habitue... a ce qu'on m'ecrive que j'ai du talent... que voila peut-?tre la premiere fois que quelqu'u n comprend la question elle-meme. [I am so used to seeing people note that I have talent that this is perhaps the first time that someone understands the questions themselves.]T Their friendship developed along the basis of a mutual exchange of ideas, and so Fondane the poet metamorphosed into a philosopher. Shestov, on the other hand, was a born philosopher. Philosophy was naturally part of him without any effort and without following any dogma. His clear mind and accessible language allowed for depth and free thinking unbound by unnecessary dogma. Fondane was attracted by Shestov's writings as well as the man himself. As Natalie Baranoff, Shestov's daughter, described their friendship, C'e'tait plut6t celle d'un litte'rateur et d'un philosophe qu'une relation d'amitie: filiale. [It was more a relationship of literary type and philosophy than one of filial friendship.]2 However, in Fondane's published correspondence we witness another truth: je vous attends avec impatience, vous pouvez venir n'importe quel jour et quelle heure[.] [I await you impatiently, you may visit any time you wish.]3 Shestov provided constant support for his young friend, whom he encouraged and also criticized because of his difficulty in letting go of literary expression: Il