About the Laboratory

The main task of the laboratory lies in conducting research aimed at the formation of a new modality of Russian culture, open to dialogue, as well as showcasing the pathos of Russian philosophy, literature and art, its universal spiritual significance for the fate of Europe and Russia.

While acknowledging historic primacy of the European intellectual tradition, we usually talk about the impact of the European thought on Russian, but there was a reverse impact, when Russian philosophers managed to showcase an unknown train of thought to European intellectuals and, therefore, noticeably enrich their philosophy, literature and art. It is fair to maintain that civilized Europe learned from civilized Russia. Therein lays the problem field of laboratory researches and the main question, which can be formulated as follows: "What ideas that grew up in European intellectual and spiritual soil, could attract a person of Russian culture, and vice versa?"

We should emphasize that mutual phenomena and mutual interest between Russian and western philosophy, acquisition of western intellectual culture achievements and works of Kant, Hegel, Schiller, Nietzsche, Windelband, Rickert by Russian thinkers, increment of meanings which appears in cultural dialogue between Russia and Europe, did not end with the fall of Russian empire. After the revolution they preceded with creative communication of outstanding intellectuals, among which were Berdyaev and Buber, Tilliсh and Stepun. We should also emphasize the fact that since second half of 19th century interest towards native philosophy is constantly growing. Such major Russian philosophers like V.S. Solovyov, C.L. Frank, F.A. Stepun, N.A. Berdyaev etc. and their works are translated and commented into European languages. Particular emphasis is given to F.M. Dostoyevsky, who turned out to be in the center of European thinkers and their reflections during pre-war and post-war period of 20th century. The Soviet-Russian thinkers are in demand as well. Works of M.M. Bakhtin, Y.M. Lotman, M.K. Mamardashvili, A.M. Piatigorsky, V.K. Kantor, A.A. Kara-Murza are translated into European languages. The dialogue of Russian and European thought continues, but for now it fails to find necessary coverage, pushed out by arguments and speculations on political topics.

Russian researchers, in their turn, are actively engaged in publication of previously unpublished works, notes, personal correspondence of Russian thinkers and other rare archival materials. Laboratory is the major research center, which focuses forces and establishes cooperation with experts, who do translations and publications of Russian philosophers and writers.