Title: Anarchie und Christus
Subtitle: Der mystische Anarchismus des Nikolai Berdjajew
Description: Nikolai Berdyaev (1874–1948) was a Russian religious philosopher and existentialist. Until the middle of the 20th century, he was considered one of the most influential philosophers in the world. Max Scheler, Oswald Spengler and Aldous Huxley were friends of his. Andrei Tarkovsky orientated himself on him. His personalist philosophy is also of lasting importance for our time.

Previous portrayals of Berdyaev have essentially interpreted him as an orthodox theologian, which Berdyaev himself rejects. His central theme is freedom. Berdyaev does not accept its definition as an insight into necessity (Hegel, Marx). Every human being is a microcosm endowed with the image of God. His talents and gifts are God-given, regardless of social background and society.

It is therefore a person's task to develop their specific personality, which Berdyaev understands primarily in spiritual terms. True community can help with this. However, social norms, the state, laws, church hierarchy and logic are never concrete. They are aimed at the general and thus restrict the possibilities of personality. Every form of coercion, however, contradicts freedom.

Berdyaev, on the other hand, develops his mystical anarchism: society must allow people to develop their personality. Freedom of mind and conscience are absolutely necessary. Like all coercion, Berdyaev strictly rejects a lack of alternatives, nationalism and imperialism. Both capitalism and socialism destroy personality by collectivising people. You cannot force people to be happy. The end never justifies the means, rather the other way round.

(Source: [Verlag Dr. Kovač](https://www.verlagdrkovac.de/978-3-339-14202-3.htm?lang=english))
Subjects: Mystical Anarchism, Anarchism, Philosophy of religion, Philosophy, Russian Philosophy
Places: Russia
People: Nikolaĭ Berdi︠a︡ev (1874-1948)
Time periods: 19th century, 20th century