"Total and Radical Liberation": The Religious and Philosophical Background of Volodymyr Vynnychenko’s Revolutionary Ideas
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Date
2017
Authors
Bilyashevych, Roman
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Abstract
The article explores the religious and philosophical origins of Volodymyr Vynnychenko’s
ideas of “honesty with oneself,” “omnilateral liberation,” and “concordism.” Two treatises,
Vidrodzhennia natsii (Rebirth of a Nation, 1919–1920) and Konkordyzm. Systema buduvannia
shchastia (Concordism. A System of Building Happiness, 1938–1945), illustrate the development
of Vynnychenko’s worldview. In the first work, social revolution was considered as the answer
to human problems, while, in the second, such a solution was found in becoming one with
the universe. Despite his negative attitude towards religion, Volodymyr Vynnychenko actively
used religious images and patterns in his writings. For instance, criticizing Christianity for its
dogmatism, he nevertheless created his codex of thirteen rules of concordism, which had to
harmonize the unbalanced forces of mankind with the universe. In this context, particular
attention is paid to the significant influence of pagan concepts on Vynnychenko’s thinking.
Description
Keywords
ideology, Ukrainian Revolution, religion, morality, concordism, article
Citation
Bilyashevych R. "Total and Radical Liberation": The Religious and Philosophical Background of Volodymyr Vynnychenko’s Revolutionary Ideas / Roman Bilyashevych // Kyiv-Mohyla Humanities Journal. - 2017. - No. 4. - P. 29-43.