Two Anniversaries, or type of Russian thinker: Apollon Grigoryev and Pavel Florensky

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of differentiation between the terms “thinker” and “philosopher”. A comparison of the art studies terms such as “specialist” and “expert” are taken as an analogy. Attention is paid to the etymological aspect in all these terms, which contributes to the disclosure of their semantic shades. As a result of linguistic observations, the author of the article comes to the conclusion that the concept of “thinker” is highly relevant for defining the essence of the artistic endeavour by A.A. Grigoryev and P.A. Florensky. At the same time, it is noted that both A.A. Grigoryev and P.A. Florensky were absolutely against the terminological clarity, considering this kind of clarity to be a semantic simplification of understanding the phenomena of being. The texts of A.A. Grigoryev and P.A. Florensky are given as examples. An external reason for comparison is their anniversaries – 200 and 140 years from the date of birth, respectively. In addition to the above-mentioned external reason, it is pointed to the universalism which was typical for both thinkers (proficiency in different types of arts), as well as to their significant interest in W. Shakespeare’s works. A.A. Grigoryev and P.A. Florensky perception of W. Shakespeare’s works are are presented systematically: general (philosophical and artistic) and particular (understanding of the tragedy “Hamlet”). The interest and critical attitude of A.A. Grigoriev and P.A. Florensky to the translations of the plays of U. is noted. Shakespeare into Russian. The undisguised subjectivism of their reflections on the work of W. Shakespeare is emphasized, combined with the assertion of the organic foundations of artistic creativity, which allow art to reflect the fundamental issues of being. The complex synthesis of analytics and imagery is the basis for the definition of A.A. Grigoriev and P.A. Florensky as thinkers.