The article deals with to the reflections of the outstanding Russian philosopher S.L. Frank about religious experience. The expression “religious experience” became widespread as a generally accepted religious theory concept due to W. James, although long before it this expression was used by F. Schleiermacher and S. Kierkegaard. However, James limited himself to the epistemological aspect of the concept. Later, religious experience was the subject of attention of R. Otto, P. Tillich, M. Buber, M. Thompson and other researchers of religion, each of which contributed to his research. A special place in this series is occupied by the reflections of S.L. Frank. Unfortunately, his achievements in developing the theme of religious experience are often forgotten to be mentioned. Meanwhile, the Russian philosopher proposed his own original concept, based on a solid philosophical foundation. Frank not only did not limit himself to a phenomenological description of religious experience, but, approaching him as a kind of supersensible experience, made an attempt to comprehend his existential nature on the basis of his own ontological teaching – antinomic monodualism. In addition, he analyzed the relationship between “positive religion” and personal religious experience, revealed its significance as the basis of religious faith, and also considered the possibility of its philosophical research, justifying its connection with metaphysical experience and remaining even in his religious quest primarily a philosopher, although his reflections on religious experience, based on personal experiences, are an example of a surprisingly organic mix of religious attitudes and philosophical thinking.
Keywords: S.L. Frank, W. James, religious faith, religious experience, supersensible experience, reality, dogma, positive revelation, living knowledge, metaphysical experience
DOI: 10.22250/2072-8662.2019.3.62-68
About the author
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Irina Yu. Kulyaskina – DSc (Philosophy), Professor at the Department of the Study of Philosophy and Sociology
of the Amur State University; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |