Russian Irrationalism in the Global Context

Russian Irrationalism in the Global Context: Sources and Influences

International Conference, 30-31 March 2010

(Russian Department, University of Bristol)

CALL FOR PAPERS

Russia, once compared to a giant sphinx, has been traditionally considered in the Anglophone world as a culturally alien, often threatening, and enigmatic entity. While being recognizably European, Russian culture at the same time displays a pronounced irrationalist streak that seems to make it distinctive. Russian irrationalism revealed itself in philosophy, theology and the arts (most notably literature), taking shape in the teachings of Grigorii Skovoroda in the eighteenth century, developing into Fedor Dostoevsky’s irrational messianism, Lev Shestov’s critique of speculative philosophy and various modernist and post-modernist intellectual and cultural movements up to the present day. The history of Russian irrationalism and its socio-cultural impact on the life of the country and the outside world are still to be comprehensively studied. Such study is essential if we are to understand contemporary Russian society, whose nature and development may affect the West in important ways.

The conference will seek the sources of Russian irrationalism in influences proceeding from both East and West as well as from within Russian culture itself. It will also explore rational as well as irrational tendencies in culture, since irrationalism is often a reaction against excessive rationalism. Priority will be given to study of the agents, currents and events which have shaped and informed Russian irrationalism in philosophy, theology and the arts (including theatre, cinema, music and painting, as well as literature) and to the manifestations of Russian irrationalism from about 1800 to the present day, although relevant matters outside this time frame and the influence of Russian irrationalism on the outside world will also be considered.

This international conference, which welcomes diverse methodological approaches, aims at bringing together specialists in this broad interdisciplinary field in order to enhance our understanding of the phenomenon of Russian irrationalism in multifaceted historical and cultural contexts. It is hoped that as a result of this exchange of ideas a coherent overview of the subject will emerge and that the most promising avenues for future research will be identified.

Please send titles and abstracts of your proposed papers to the conference organiser, Dr Olga Tabachnikova by 31 January 2010. Some financial support for doctoral students and participants from Eastern Europe might be available. Please indicate in your proposal, if you wish to apply for it. This web site associated with the conference will display any relevant news and updates.

This conference is part of the project ‘Between Philosophy, Theology and the Arts: Russian Irrationalism, Past and Present’ supported by the Leverhulme Trust, UK.