CONSIDERATIONS ON RUSSIAN PHILOSOPHY TODAY

Abstract

Contemporary Russian philosophy is experiencing an identity crisis, reflecting the tensions between ideology and intellectual autonomy, as clearly demonstrated by the recent conflict. The article analyzes the role of philosophy in the current context, highlighting how it is used both to legitimize political power and to promote independent critical thought. The introduction presents a brief discussion on the difficulties of defining a “Russian philosophy”, no longer confined to national borders but spread across an intellectual diaspora, including philosophers both in Russia and abroad. A central point of the discussion is the concept of the transition from the post-Soviet phase to the contemporary era. The author highlights how this transformation has fragmented the Russian philosophical landscape, divided between Soviet ideological legacies—concerning the role and tasks of the philosopher in society—and new cultural demands. The “philosophy of the front”, developed in contexts such as the 2022 roundtable in Moscow, represents an emblematic example: through themes like the “clash of civilizations”, philosophical thought reconnects to propaganda practices, adapted to the current context’s needs. However, the author emphasizes the complexities of this process, as the contemporary context makes it difficult to control the philosophical discourse entirely. A relevant aspect is the reflection on the “philosophy of war” and the ensuing debates, which reveal the polarization between those who criticize the inability of contemporary Russian philosophy to directly engage with events like the war in Donbass and those who see these conflicts as an opportunity to reaffirm Russian imperial identity. The idea of a “sovereign philosophy”, detached from external Western influences, also represents an attempt to respond to the current crisis, although it risks becoming yet another tool of power. While philosophy within Russia is called to define new horizons and directions, often influenced by nationalist rhetoric, spaces of critical resistance are also emerging. The Independent Institute of Philosophy, founded by dissident philosophers, and the work Pered licom katastrofy [Facing the Catastrophe] (2023) demonstrate how philosophical thought can still question freedom, responsibility, and truth, opposing ideological corruption. The author underscores these efforts as attempts to build a contemporary Russian philosophy capable of engaging with the global and multipolar world. Thinkers like Dobrochotov emphasize the philosopher's task of preserving fundamental concepts such as rationality, freedom, and responsibility, opposing linguistic and ideological corruption. According to this view, philosophy must transcend ideological divisions to rediscover its existential and anthropological mission, as indicated by Skorobogackij, who calls for a renewal of thought to respond to contemporary challenges. The future development of Russian philosophy will then depend on its ability to navigate this transition while maintaining a balance between tradition and critical renewal.