World of Peter Chaadaev’s Ideas in the Space of Philosophy of Culture

Abstract

Substantive basis of the article is the identification of the heuristic potential of the intellectual heritage of P. Y. Chaadaev’s ideas applied to the problem space of the philosophy of culture. The place of Peter Chaadaev in the nominal continuum of world culture figures is determined in correlation with the A. F. Losev’s approach to the question of the identity of Russian philosophy.
While understanding of Russian philosopher works through the prism of philosophy of culture, it reveals the depth and originality of Chaadaev’s approach to the various aspects of the historical movement of humanity to the ideals of freedom, humanism and world improvement. Particular attention is paid to the contribution of Chaadaev into the world experience of understanding of the essence of culture and paradoxes of its dynamics. Semantic aspects are placed on the fact that the Russian thinkers considered a number of problems in the unity of the following directions of reflection: epistemology, axiology and historical philosophy; also Chaadaev was interested with the problem of subject of cognition and creative activity. Specific verge of Philosophical Letters and Apology of a Madman reflect his belief in the possibility of “transfiguration of the world” in the spirit of Christian doctrine.