Yepyfanii Slavynetskyi's views on state

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of representations of the state which were part of the philosophical concept of the famous Ukrainian church leader, educator, philologist Yepyfanii Slavynetskyi. It was found that the historical and cultural context in which these views were formed, included deep familiarity with European philosophy, the theory of the state developed by the Orthodox intellectuals of Kyiv-Mohyla Collegium, the political struggle for the incipience of early modern Ukrainian nation in the second half of the XVII century. Noted significant influence of the philosophy of E. Slavynetskyi on the religious, cultural and educational processes in Muscovy in era of Patriarch Nikon's reforms. The presence of the Patriarch own notions of state authority actively influence on the formation of the E. Slavinetsky's concept too. It is noted that E. Slavynetskyi's statesmanship theory was based on the developed by the Ukrainian Orthodox intellectuals of the end of XVI - first half XVII theory of the ideal state, which in the second half of the XVII century actively evolved due to the political union of the The Cossack Hetmanate and Moscow. Accordingly, E. Slavynetskyi recognized people's right to political activity and state power, the church was considered as a leader of social progress, obligement of the lord to care for the public good. It was found that the concept of E. Slavynetskyi's state have many elements of European theories of enlightened absolutism. Yes, he acknowledges that the foundation of the state is public good and providing the best way for implementation this good - monarchy, insisted on the absolute power of the monarch. The relationship between the church and secular authorities philosopher solves unambiguously in favor of a secular, acknowledging the king's right to decide all important issues of church life.It is noted that the main reason for the evolution of such ideas was given the fact of The Cossack Hetmanate's political union with Russia as the civilizational mission to improve the capacity of the Orthodox culture and building a just state. This theory has become its logical conclusion later in the XVIII century in F. Prokopovich's philosophical views and political activities.