National character (image) and the "Russian idea" as an expression of male and female

The article discusses the antinomy of the male and female being as the basis for the formation of national character (image) and the national idea. In the light of the relations between Russia and Europe it consideres the national history and culture. The paper presents the arguments of prominent Russian thinkers about women''s "image "of Russia" and its effect on national character and the Russian idea. The article conducts the comparative analysis of the standpoints of Westerners and Slavophiles on the specifics of European and Russian civilizations. Sayings of great Russian thinkers help to reveal the antinomy of the national image and identify a Russian national idea. The basis for this paper are taken from the works of Chaadaev, Danilevsky, Lossky, Solovyov, Dostoevsky, Berdyaev, Gulyga and other Russian philosophers and writers of the XIX-XXth centuries.