Vaganova Natal'ia

The Genesis of Myth in V. Solovyov’s Early Writings. Myth as Theogon

Abstract

In Vladimir Solovyov’s works myth is presented in two ways: as the authorial myth, which is a part of the future “universal religion”, and as an object of theoretical refl ection in the process of philosophical and religious research. In both cases myth is understood as an actual process of theogony, and so Solovyov’s “religious studies” turn out to be a part of his religious metaphysics. The philosopher marks three periods in mythological process: uranic – solar – phallic, and maintains such development to be a law. Solovyov’s theory of the origin of religion is based upon the idea of the essential analogy between cosmic and theogonic processes. These two processes are different ways in which the same conscious principle of the world manifests itself; in Solovyov’s religious doctrine this principle is described as the “universal soul” which strives for the divine unity. The theory of mythological process by Solovyov is compared with a similar conception of bishop Chrysanthus (Retivtsev), who also appeals to primeval monotheism as the basic form of religion. In contrast to Solovyov’s theory, Chrysanthus understands the genesis of the ancient religion as a development of tribal psychology, which is localized entirely in the consciousness of a collective religious subject.

Keywords

Vladimir Solovyov, myth, mythological process, theogony, cosmogony, universal soul, bishop Chrysanthus (Retivtsev), astral religion, magic, theurgy, primeval monotheism.

References

1. Antonov K. M. 2011 “Istoricheskoe izuchenie religii v duhovno-akademicheskoj tradicii v dorevoljucionnoj Rossii” (Historical Religion Studi in Spiritual-Academic Tradition in Russia before Revolution), in Vestnik PSTGU. Ser. 1: Bogoslovie. Filosofija, 2011, vol. 1/33, pp. 42–44.
2. Luk'janov S. M. O Vl. S. Solov'eve v ego molodye gody: Materialy k biografii (About Vl. S. Solovjev in His Young Years), Moscow, 1990, vol. 3.
3. Mochul'skij K. V. Vladimir Solov'ev: Zhizn' i uchenie (Vladimir Solov'ev: Life and Teaching), Paris, 1936.
4. Solov'ev S. M. Vladimir Solov'ev. Zhizn' i tvorcheskaja jevoljucija (Vladimir Solov'ev. Life and Creative Revolution), Moscow, 1997.
5. Hrisanf, arhim. Religii Drevnego mira v ih otnoshenii k hristianstvu: Istoricheskoe issledovanie (Religions of Ancient World in Their Attitude to Christianity: Historical Study), Saint-Petersburg, 1873, 1875, 1878.
6. Müller F. M. The Hymns of the Rigveda, with Sayana’s commentary, London, 1849–1875.
7. Benfey T. (eds.) Orient und Occident, Insbesondere in Ihren Gegenseitigen Beziehungen, Göttingen, 1863–1865.

Information about the author

Vaganova Natal'ia

Academic Degree: Candidate of Sciences* in Philosophy;
Place of work: St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University for the Humanities 6/1 Likhov pereulok, Moscow 127051, Russian Federation;
Email: arbarus@yandex.ru.

*According to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011, the degree of Candidate of Sciences (Cand.Sc.) belongs to ISCED level 8 — "doctoral or equivalent", together with PhD, DPhil, D.Lit, D.Sc, LL.D, Doctorate or similar.