Der radikale Pragmatismus N. F. Fedorovs als Überwindung der philosophie Kants

Julia B. Mehlich

pp. 193-211

in: Marina F. Bykova (ed), Russia and the West: Bridging the philosophical traditions, Studies in East European Thought 68, 2016.

Abstract

The article shows how the discussion between representatives of pragmatism and neo-Kantianism reveals an evident similarity between the two opposing philosophical positions. This similarity consists in their reliance on Kant's philosophy as well as in their attempt to surpass it by turning to relativism and irrationalism. A particularly clear example of this is the projective philosophy of Nikolai F. Fedorov. By attempting to surpass Kant in a radically pragmatic way, Fedorov exposes the problems of pragmatism and "blows" it up from inside. In his philosophical construction, Fedorov pursues a "universal synthesis" of both the belief in reason inherent in Enlightenment and the belief in God, positivism and dialectic, projectivism and phantasy. On the one hand, he introduces a number of new notions, such as ideolatry, supramoralism, etc., on the other hand, he utilizes Christian dogmas. As a result, Fedorov fails to create a conception, which would dialectically combine contradictory approaches, producing a utopia or myth instead.

Cited authors

Kant Immanuel

Fedorov Nikolaj Fedorovič