The feminine image of Russia in the religious and philosophical writings by Russian thinkers at the turn of the 20th century

Arcady G Sadovnikov,Alina E Korzheva,Farrukh Begidjon Khudoidodzoda,N.A Orekhovskaya

doi:10.1051/shsconf/202110301041

Arcady G Sadovnikov, Alina E Korzheva + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202110301041

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Abstract

The article looks at the versions of the feminine image of Russia in the religious and philosophical reflections of the Russian thinkers who worked during the Silver Age (the period of Russian culture covering approximately 1890–1917): Vladimir Solovyov, Nikolai Berdyaev, and Sergei Bulgakov. Special attention is paid to the balance between the male and female principles, which are endowed with certain characteristics in different works by Russian thinkers, not only from the perspective of human nature but also in terms of the nature of Russian culture and mentality, as well as the cosmic nature of the universe. Analysis of the religious and philosophical pursuit of the Silver Age relating to the feminine image of Russia allows the authors to specify the ideas of the characteristics of femininity engrained in the Russian culture and clarify the role of this pursuit in the development of the reflexive Russian thought directed towards becoming aware of these characteristics. The belief about the salvatory mission carried out by the feminine aspect of the human and cosmic nature distinctively identified in the religious and philosophical writings by the Russian thinkers belonging to the Siver Age requires further study. The research has been conducted within the framework of the symbolic direction of cultural studies with the help of comparative analysis, the method of theoretical reconstruction, and problematic-logical, functional, and systemic approaches. These methods allowed the authors to specify the problematic field of the research and define the main concepts to examine the statements about the feminine aspect of Russian culture by different authors as a unified system of forms aimed at the comprehension of the value and symbolic foundation of the national ethnic culture.

Highlights

In his book “Europe and The Eastern Soul” W
Since ancient times a cult of femininity existed in Rus: in folklore, where female images were often portrayed in an aura of mystery and magic; in religious culture, where the Holy Mother of God is still widely worshipped; and in the writings of Russian poets and writers, where female characters and destinies are inextricably entwined with the soul and destiny of Russia
In their reflections on femininity, poets and philosophers of the Silver Age followed the experience of ancient thinkers — first and foremost, Aristotle’s teachings

Summary

Introduction

In his book “Europe and The Eastern Soul” W. Russia is seen for the ideal of its woman” [2]. Since ancient times a cult of femininity existed in Rus: in folklore, where female images were often portrayed in an aura of mystery and magic; in religious culture, where the Holy Mother of God is still widely worshipped; and in the writings of Russian poets and writers, where female characters and destinies are inextricably entwined with the soul and destiny of Russia. Within the Russian cultural tradition, women can hardly be called the weaker sex. This is recognized in the West [3, 4]. This is the strength to “stop a galloping horse” or “walk into a burning house” [5] and moral, psychological strength, the power of love in its truly Russian interpretation of lovecompassion, faith, kenotic self-sacrifice, patience, and sympathy [6]

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