'Eternal truths' and the freedom from reason. Some traits of Lev Shestov's philosophy as seen in his 'Athens and Jerusalem'

Abstract

This is a study of Athens and Jerusalem, an important book by Russian existentialist philosopher Lev Shestov. A closer look at this work allows to reveal and examine the specific features of Shestov's philosophical thinking, such as his usage of binary oppositions, a tendency toward self-analysis, his preference of the indirect form in exposing his thoughts, his rejection of any claim to originality, the prevailing optimism, humanism, etc. All this is combined with seeming simplicity, scarcity of special philosophic terms, a style rich in aphorisms and irony, a manner which can be called 'incantational' in the sense that the author intentionally repeats many times the same words and phrases, the apparent lack of system, imprecise quotations, and so on. Such is the textual background for Shestov's major ideas which include the 'critique of reason', the opposition between reason and life, between rational thinking and freedom, between speculation and faith, as well as the philosophical method of 'peregrination across the souls'. Athens and Jerusalem is essential when inquiring into the problem of the nature of Shestov's religiosity and his attitude to Christ and the Bible, his interpretation of the original sin and his understanding of the figures of Job and Abraham, and, more generally, his view of God and man.