Conclusion

Abstract

My purpose has been to work towards a reassessment of the religious philosophy of Vladimir Solovyov. His writings are the fruit of direct religious experience and of many years’ reflection upon the spiritual life. This alone would be sufficient reason to study his thought, but, in addition to this, Solovyov’s philosophy exemplifies certain valuable features of Russian religious thought, notably its emphasis upon practical wisdom. Though he passionately advocated an active transformation of society and adherence to the ideal of social justice, Solovyov resisted Marxist solutions. His stance eventually inspired a whole renaissance of Russian religious thought, and there can be no doubt whatsoever that Solovyov’s ideas informed the thinking of such prominent figures as Nikolai Berdyaev, Sergey Bulgakov, Pavel Florensky and Simeon Frank. Solovyov’s defence of the autonomy of the individual aligns him with his great contemporary, Dostoevsky. For these and other reasons it seems to me that the time has come for a greater awareness of Vladimir Solovyov’s place in Russian intellectual history.