In depth analysis of Gogol's "Selected Books with Friends" and its ideological papers, exploring his unique enlightenment ideas. Although Gogol did not explicitly express his factional stance, his works are imbued with a profound understanding and contemplation of the Enlightenment movement, forming an Enlightenment ideology that appeals to the cultural roots of the Russian nation and has anti Enlightenment characteristics.

From Gogol's perspective, the concept of 'p росвещение'

In depth exploration of Gogol's unique insights on the concept of enlightenment and its special significance in the cultural and religious context of Russia. Gogol repeatedly mentioned the Enlightenment in his Selected Books with Friends, emphasizing its uniqueness in Russia, despite the existence of similar vocabulary in European languages. He believes that enlightenment is closely related to Eastern Orthodox liturgy, viewing it as the light of Christ and a symbol of dispelling darkness. The Russian dictionary of the 19th century interpreted the primary meaning of 'p росвещение' as' shining, illuminating ', followed by' enriching intelligence with knowledge ', and had a religious meaning of' baptism '. Gogol's enlightenment concept is closely linked to the Christian concept of "light", forming a conceptual equation chain of "enlightenment is light, light is love, love is God".

The resonance of Gogol, conservatives, and Slavs' Enlightenment ideas

In the 1840s, the Russian intellectual community engaged in intense discussions around the country's historical path, with Western civilization serving as a reference for intellectuals to construct a social blueprint. The Slavic school is different from the Western school, advocating for an Eastern Orthodox society based on villages and families, emphasizing the importance of an educational society, and resonating with Gogol's Enlightenment ideas. Slavs believe that Eastern Orthodox Russia can combine science and religion to achieve true enlightenment, while Western rationalism cannot succumb to faith. Kiriyevsky and Gogol respected the European Enlightenment, but believed it was incomplete and needed to be supplemented by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Gogol's Enlightenment and Counter Enlightenment

Deeply explored Gogol's unique understanding of the concept of "enlightenment" and its differences from the European Enlightenment movement. Gogol believed that true enlightenment should transcend scientific rationality and achieve moral and spiritual elevation through faith. He opposed skepticism and the supremacy of scientific rationality in the Enlightenment movement, advocating for the moral and spiritual values of Eastern Orthodoxy as guidance to achieve the inner integrity and soundness of human beings. Gogol repeatedly emphasized in works such as "Code of Conduct for the World" that "enlightenment through faith" is the true path to enlightenment. At the same time, he criticized the excessive worship of intelligence by Russians in the 19th century, pointing out that this led to the loss of national roots and spiritual crisis. Gogol believed that moral cultivation and humility are the paths to true wisdom. His ideas were considered conservative or even crazy at the time, but over time, people began to re-examine the value of his profound reflection on Enlightenment. Gogol's concept of "enlightenment" not only had a profound impact on Russian culture, but also provided inspiration for later thinkers such as Dostoevsky to jointly explore a new and true path of enlightenment that transcends the old and pseudo enlightenment.