Enlightenment ideas in the views of M.M. Shcherbatov: cultural and philosophical analysis

The article examines the history of enlightenment thought in the creative heritage of Prince M.M. Scherbatov by means of cultural and philosophical analysis. On the basis of the revealed research, it has been determined that the ideology of enlightenment thought in many respects represents an interconnection with the philosophical understanding of reality and determination of new trajectories for the development of individuals, society and the state. One of the representatives of the Russian Enlightenment of the second half of the XVIII century was M.M. Scherbatov, whose ideological views covered history, politics, culture, philosophy, and social mores. The works of D'Alembert, C. Beccaria, I. Sonnelfels, J. Locke, D. Hume had a considerable influence on the formation of M.M. Scherbatov's enlightenment viewpoints. It is determined that Shcherbatov's philosophical views in the context of Enlightenment spirit are contradictory and at times eclectic. It is established that his assessments of F. Bacon, D. Locke and the pleiad of French Enlighteners of the 18th century were ambiguous and not always consistent. From the perspective of the Enlightenment, M. M. Shcherbatov develops the problem of the essence of man and his nature. In his works “On the Benefits of Sciences” and “Reflections on Selfhood”, he deals with issues related to human cognition. The moral and philosophical themes of his writings reflect his Masonic hobbies.