A. Losev and Russian Symbolists

Abstract

The object of study is a little-known aspect of the famous Russian philosopher A. F. Losev’s works, namely, his fiction. Losev's works are considered in comparison with Romanticism and Symbolism. Having a lot of philosophical commonalities, sharing their basic ideas, Losev disagrees with the Symbolists in determining consequences the idealization of man. Any kind of art, and even music, are not capable, according to Losev, of overcoming the egoistic restrictions of human individuality. In Losev’s works one of the central themes of Symbolism finds its continuation – the struggle of man against the dark forces. The writer shows that they can take possession of a person and arouses in him an irresistible desire for destruction. The analysis shows that Losev has a dialectical approach to the nature of any phenomena, including belles-lettres. Based on the artistic traditions of his predecessors – Romantics and Symbolists, combined with the achievements of Russian and European classical literature of the 19th century, Losev offers his own solution to the problems of good and evil, life and death, heaven and earth. Warning the reader about the dangers of individualism and worship of the idols of science and technological progress, he maintains the idea that a soul that has fallen away from God and is trying to realize its creative intentions as a demiurge will inevitably succumb to temptations leading it into the realm of eternal dust and decay. An alternative way of the soul that has fallen from God may be selfless service to the Motherland. The theme of “heavenly Motherland” continues to be voiced in Losev’s works with particular strength, while preserving the hope of the Symbolists for the coming transformation of the world.