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J. G. FICHTEВ’S PHILOSOPHY AND TRADITION OF RUSSIAN CLASSICAL ANARCHISM

Prof. I. I. Evlampiev, Dr. V. A. Kupriyanov

Abstract

The article deals with the problematics of origins and specificity of Russian anarchism. The authors prove that two central versions of Russian anarchism created by M.A. Bakunin and L.N. Tolstoy were dependent on J.G. FichteВ’s religious philosophy. The authors refute the idea that Russian philosophy was under strong influence of Hegelianism. It appears that Fichtean late philosophy was much more important source for the thinking of Russian anarchists. M.A. Bakunin is understood as the founder of the fichteonized understanding of political philosophy which resulted in the appearance of anarchism. Like Fichte, Bakunin ties correct understanding of man with the true Christianity which appears to be totally different from its historical version embodied in the Church Christianity. Contrary to historical Christianity, true Christianity is based on the idea of identity of God and man. Therefore, meaning of human life consists in revelation of inner divine essence hidden in every man. This is the idea which conditions the denial of statehood in BakuninВ’s anarchism. Being imperfect, humans need some kind of external force which regulates their lives and governs over them, which leads to necessity for state as a form of external coercion. Having achieved perfection understood as identity with God, humans are able to dominate over themselves without any need for state which is something external to them. In such a case, state is replaced with the kingdom of love and freedom within human souls. The life of people will be harmonic and based on internal freedom. This is directly what Fichte taught in his late religious philosophy. This tradition was continued by L.N. Tolstoy who also had a steady interest in FichteВ’s philosophy. TolstoyВ’s anarchism is often referred to nihilism. This interpretation was propounded by I.A. Ilyin. In full accordance with Fichte, Tolstoy calls people for living spiritual life which essence is in unity with God. Tolstoy maintains that people should acknowledge the illusion of individual and external life and start living internal life, finding God within their souls. With this approach people can dispense with state, as it represents an instrument of external coercion. Thus, both Bakunin and Tolstoy propounded the same idea influenced by their studies in FichteВ’s late philosophy.

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