The debate between F.M. Dostoevsky and positivists and its significance for Russian philosophical thought

The study discussed the debate between F.M. Dostoevsky and Russian social and philosophical positivists. F.M. Dostoevsky contrasted the model of rational utilitarian individual which underlay the historical and philosophical constructions of populists with the deep concept of man focused on the irrational basis of human nature. He also rejected the concept of Russian socialism by A.I. Herzen and the populists since, in his opinion, it was based on the elimination of the spiritual and religious dimension of man and limiting man’s interest exclusively to material well-being. The study noted that F.M. Dostoevsky proclaimed the creation of an ideal society on renewed religious principles of a Christ-centric nature. It was concluded that the dispute between F.M. Dostoevsky and positivists restored the ideal of creating a universal human society on religious grounds. This, in turn, contributed to the transition from a positivist paradigm to a metaphysical one in Russian philosophy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.