Ethical and philosophical concept of N.M. Karamzin and its impact on the Russian education

Abstract

The paper analyzes the impact of Karamzin»s world outlook on features and principles of his social and historical research. The authors investigate the impact of ideas observed in the Enlightenment on Karamzin»s ethical and philosophical world outlook. The Enlightenment in Germany played the most significant role in development of his world outlook. His mentor and teacher, professor from Moscow State University, Johann Matias Schaden had a major impact on his world outlook. The main difference between French and German Enlightenment is that French Enlightenment focused on the issues related to socio-political structure of society whereas German Enlightenment focused on the issues of moral and intellectual improvement of a human being. German Enlightenment didn»t consider the development of political doctrine. Karamzin didn»t agree with the French rendering because it was moving from society to personality and they believe that changes in the socio-political structure of society will entail personal moral development. According to Karamzin, the tragedy of the French Revolution proved this logic to fail. Following Karamzin, it should be from personality to society. He developed this point of view in his socio-historical concept. This concept renders intellect and morality as a real historical force, which is acting through people, through their awareness of themselves as moral beings. Karamzin believed that education and enlightenment should act as the main task of the country, which will lead to sustainable development and prevent population from falling into revolutionary extremes. Social changes become real, and political institutions begin to work only when people have moral and political education. The criticism of this point of view which appeared among the national thinkers is highlighted in the final section of the article.