Merezhkovsky's Philosophy of Culture: between Solovyov and Nietzsche

Merezhkovsky was a philosopher of the Silver Age who was also known for his literary criticism and various articles on Russia. In his works, he tackled crucial problems of modernity - the decadence of the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century, strengthening of positivism, and spiritual degradation. Merezhkovsky sensed that his epoch was going to an end, so he, as well as his contemporaries, tried to save Russia from cultural and religious fading. Between 1895 and 1905, he is interested in connecting paganism and Christianity, he also criticises historical Christianity and establishes the sect "Our Church". Witnessing the revolution of 1905-1907, he creates the conception of the Third Testament and the religious revolution and changes his views on religion and folk (narod). Yet, after Bolsheviks gained power over the state, Merezhkovsky changed his mind about revolution, too. This demonstrates the need for studying his philosophy of the period 1895-1917. This paper shows the dynamics of Merezhkovsky's philosophy. First, it highlights how the philosopher refuses his idea to fuse Antichristianity and Christianity, then, how Merezhkovsky anticipates the religious revolution, and, finally, how he changes his opinion about revolution, intelligentsia, and folk (narod).