Non-covetousness as the most important value of national culture
Authors: Ivanov Andrey ,   Altai State Agrarian University, Fotieva Irina ,   Altai State Agrarian University
Published: July 2024

The article is devoted to the struggle of two opposing worldviews and the corresponding trends in the political, sociocultural and spiritual life of Russia – non-acquisitiveness and Josephism. This confrontation, originating at the end of the 15th – beginning of the 16th centuries is reproduced in one way or another throughout the entire history of the country. A detailed review of the basic ideas concerning these tendencies, forms of their manifestation in different historical periods are presented; the approaches of do­mestic researchers to this topic and various assessments of the contribution of representa­tives of the non-possessive and Josephite traditions to the formation of Russian culture and the state are considered. The authors substantiate the fruitfulness of non-acquisitive moral, value, social and politi­cal ideas and attitudes. It is confirmed, on the one hand, by the negative results of the vic­tory of the Josephite direction already in the 16th century in all the main spheres of the country’s life; on the other hand, by the continuity of the ideas and ideals of the non-possessors, their reflection and refraction in the scientific, philosophical, social and political thought of Russia, as well as in art throughout the entire subsequent histori­cal period up to the present. It is noted that in the Western tradition there are also similar attitudes, although in a different terminology and based on other sources. The perspective and timeliness of a return to the ideas and values of non-acquisitiveness is emphasized, especially at the current turning point in historical development, which can become an important factor in the formation of a new civilizational model that replaces the current, largely dead-end technogenic-consumer civilization. The article is devoted to the struggle of two opposing worldviews and the corresponding trends in the political, sociocultural and spiritual life of Russia – non-acquisitiveness and Josephism. This confrontation, originating at the end of the 15th – beginning of the 16th centuries is reproduced in one way or another throughout the entire history of the country. A detailed review of the basic ideas concerning these tendencies, forms of their manifestation in different historical periods are presented; the approaches of do­mestic researchers to this topic and various assessments of the contribution of representa­tives of the non-possessive and Josephite traditions to the formation of Russian culture and the state are considered. The authors substantiate the fruitfulness of non-acquisitive moral, value, social and politi­cal ideas and attitudes. It is confirmed, on the one hand, by the negative results of the vic­tory of the Josephite direction already in the 16th century in all the main spheres of the country’s life; on the other hand, by the continuity of the ideas and ideals of the non-possessors, their reflection and refraction in the scientific, philosophical, social and political thought of Russia, as well as in art throughout the entire subsequent histori­cal period up to the present. It is noted that in the Western tradition there are also similar attitudes, although in a different terminology and based on other sources. The perspective and timeliness of a return to the ideas and values of non-acquisitiveness is emphasized, especially at the current turning point in historical development, which can become an important factor in the formation of a new civilizational model that replaces the current, largely dead-end technogenic-consumer civilization.