Nikolay Danilevsky and his place in the history of Russian philosophy: to the thinker’s 200th jubilee

The article is devoted to the study of the role of the outstanding Russian thinker N. Ya. Danilevsky (1822-1885), the author of the historiosophical work “Russia and Europe” and the critical study “Darwinism”, in the history of Russian thought, in connection with his 200th anniversary. It is noted that Russian philosophy from its very inception showed its dissimilarity to the speculative, metaphysical or purely theoretical philosophy of the European type. The special character of Russian philosophical thought, perhaps, was nowhere manifested so vividly and clearly as in the works of N. Ya. Danilevsky. The article reveals the depth and originality of the historiosophical teaching of this thinker, reflects the main aspects of the content of the book “Russia and Europe”, showing that this book is an original and very significant word in the history of Russian thought of the Slavophile-pochvennik orientation. Nevertheless, liberal thinkers headed by Vl. S. Solovyov spoke out against Danilevsky’s nationally oriented ideas. Vl. Solovyov subjected the book “Russia and Europe” to harsh and unfounded criticism, even bringing against Danilevsky an absurd accusation of plagiarism from the German philosopher G. Ruckert. Danilevsky’s critical study “Darwinism”, which demonstrated the falsity of Darwin’s evolutionary theory and its atheistic nature, did not receive due recognition. It is shown that interest in the book “Russia and Europe”, which went through several editions after Danilevsky’s death, only increased over the years. It is noted that in the 20th century Danilevsky’s ideas were widely disseminated both in Russia, where the philosopher is recognized as a classic of Russian historiosophical, sociological and cultural thought, and throughout the world.