Absolute monarch in Peter I's outlook: problem statement

Peter I is described as an ardent Westerner in Russian and foreign historical sciences, however, it is not quite true. The purpose of the study is to analyze Peter I’s views on the role of an absolute monarch in state and society. The novelty of the approach is that Peter’s outlook is considered as a complex combination of Western rational philosophy and traditional patriarchal mentality of the Russian society. Peter the Great grasped the idea of the rational society system inherent in the Western philosophy of the 17th century, the society which provided the rights and interests of all individuals; but urging for the so-called ‘common good’ soon was transformed in serving to the state in his activity. He understood the state as something given by the God. The monarch was considered to be the constructor of the God-given land, teacher, preceptor and even father of his people. He was a subordinate servant of his state and motherland at the same time. Such conception of the tremendous power of an absolute monarch and his high responsibility referred to the elements of traditional outlook. Peter I understood his responsibility for his people and society taken in Western philosophy within his mentality. The latter was formed as a part of traditional outlook characterized by sacrality and authoritarian nature of power, submission of individual actions to state interests, differences in rights and duties of classes.