Nesmelov Victor

Abstract

The article is devoted to the holistic reconstruction of life and career of the Kazan spiritual and academic thinker Victor Nesmelov (1863‒1937). The main prerequisites and theoretical sources of formation of Nesmelov’s original anthropological system are shown: Russian religious and philosophical thought (Veniamin Snegiryov), Western philosophy (Immanuel Kant, Ludwig Feuerbach, English empiricism), patristic heritage (Gregory of Nyssa). The main ideas of the major works of Nesmelov are analyzed: “Dogmatic system of St. Gregory of Nyssa” (1887), “The problem of knowledge. Experience in the study of natural principles and forms of philosophical knowledge” (1888), “The Question of the Meaning of Life in the Teaching of the New Testament Revelation” (1895), “Science of Man” in 2 vols. (vol. 1‒1898; vol. 2‒1903); “Faith and knowledge in terms of epistemology” (1913). Three main sections of Nesmelov’s teaching are covered: epistemology, anthropology, and philosophical theology. Influence of Nesmelov’s ideas on his followers in the Kazan Theological Academy (M.N. Ershov, I.I. Satrapinsky, N.V. Petrov) and on other Russian spiritual-academic and secular thinkers (N.A. Berdyaev, Anthony (Khrapovitsky)) is demonstrated.