On history of culture: assessment of philosophy and its place in culture in the works of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov)

Given a controversial attitude towards philosophy as a means of explicating the world, characteristic for the Eastern Church, the article examines the views on this issue of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov). Rooted in Eastern Christian theology, St. Ignatius takes an inflexible position with regard to philosophy, denouncing its negative influence on human nature. In fact, the intellectual, philosophical mindset focused on the truth can induce self-centered exaltation of the mind, distortion of religious principles, while being relegated to masses, it can produce in them a revolutionary confusion leading to historical tragedies. The writings of St. Ignatius show how philosophy can have a destructive effect on the mind and spirit of man. It is particularly dangerous because the human spirit under the influence of philosophy is brought into self-obfuscation, false opinion about oneself, selfdelusion. This condition is fed by man’s mental passions; consequently, a philosophical mind loses its affinity to the truth.