The anthropology of creativity in the context of S.N. Bulgakov’s sophiology

Abstract

This paper deals with Bulgakov’s doctrine on the human being and creative work. The reason why it is possible to interpret and understand Bulgakov’s conception of creativity in the light of anthropology is justified in the paper. It is indicated that many researchers of Bulgakov's philosophy did not make an explicit connection between anthropology and creativity and did not raise the question why man is capable of creativity. Anthropology and the concept of creativity are reconstructed using Bulgakov's texts. The role of Sofia in the creative process and her role in human life as a whole are determined. The change of the ontological status of man as a result of the original sin is analyzed. The specificity of Bulgakov's understanding of the creative act and its influence on man is revealed. The impact of creativity on a person is analyzed in the paper. It is proposed to consider artistic creation separately from self-creation, as it is fundamentally different from artistic creativity. It is emphasized that according to Bulgakov, self-creation can lead a person to salvation and even to Holiness. It is argued that self-creation as the implementation of one's own idea-norm is the true meaning of human life. Attention is drawn to the tragedy of creativity, which every person-creator experiences. In conclusion, it is pointed out that in the future the concept of Bulgakov's creativity can be ap-plied to the evaluation of works of art. The article concludes that, according to Bulgakov's philosophy, the main characteristics of a person that make him capable of creativity are his freedom, genius and talent. This way the importance of creative activity, both for an individual and for the whole world, is proved and the eschatological role of creativity is indicated.