The Ontological Basis of Hryhorii Skovoroda’s Ethical Doctrine

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of the article is to outline Skovoroda’s distinctive position in interpreting the fundamental principles of ethical doctrine. To achieve this aim, it is necessary, firstly, to pay attention to the specificity of the cultural and historical situation in Ukraine at the end of the 18th century; secondly, to analyse the similarities and differences between the Ukrainian thinker’s principles and those of the Enlightenment philosophers and Kant as his contemporaries regarding the fundamental principles of human conduct; and thirdly, to examine the peculiarities of his attitude toward religion and mysticism, which are the basis of his ethical doctrine. Theoretical basis. The methodological framework of the study is based on the texts of classical ethical thought, as well as the works of Skovoroda and national scholars of his philosophical legacy. Originality. A comprehensive analysis of the fundamental principles of Skovoroda’s ethical doctrine is presented. The study reveals original aspects of his philosophical position concerning the ontological basis of ethics compared with the doctrines of Enlightenment thinkers and Kant as his contemporaries. It examines the ways in which Skovoroda transcends the epistemologism characteristic of his age and argues for the importance of Christian religion and the mystical tradition of European culture in forming the ontological basis of his ethics. Conclusions. The article focuses on the ontological basis of Skovoroda’s ethical doctrine. Its specificity and originality become more evident when the Ukrainian philosopher’s position is compared with the philosophical doctrines of the Enlightenment and Kant, in which epistemology takes a central place. The study analyses the prerequisites for and manifestations of Skovoroda’s movement beyond the prevailing tendency of his era to overestimate rationality and scientific knowledge while underestimating the role of religion. It is demonstrated that the basic principles of Skovoroda’s ethical doctrine are rooted in the Christian religion. The key to understanding the philosopher’s distinctive attitude toward religion lies in the mystical nature of his position. It is important that Skovoroda’s ethical doctrine is grounded in a deeply personal perception of the image of Jesus Christ. Today the relevance of his basic ethical principles stems from the personalist focus of his ethical position, rooted in Christianity, which distinguishes his concept from the ethical ideas of the Enlightenment of his time.