Irina S. Rodicheva, PhD (Philosophy), Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Novosibirsk State University of Economics and Management; Associate Professor, Department of «Philosophy and Cultural studies», Siberian Transport University, e-mail: iriy.rodicheva@yandex.ru
This article explores the phenomenon of ‘cancel culture’ or anti-culture in contemporary society. It examines the growing trend of Russian culture rejection, prompting a philosophical reflection on the essence and consequences of such actions. This goes beyond a narrow political discourse, delving into the philosophical and historical roots of this trend. Drawing parallels with Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy of action and highlighting his pursuit of harmony through the destruction of outdated values, the author views ‘cancel culture’ as a destructive force devoid of constructiveness, aimed at dismantling established cultural norms and values of Russia. While anti-culture represents a challenge and a dialectic of development, this article examines it not only as destruction and chaos but also as a logic of development with a ‘minus’ sign, a negation of values and traditions. Therefore, it underscores that anti-culture should not become a threat to the identity and self-awareness of the Russian people, as political myths and lexical policies can negatively influence their cultural self-perception. Drawing on humanist ideas and analyzing the complexities of ethical choices between preserving cultural traditions and rejecting them, the article questions the possibility of ‘canceling’ anyone’s culture. By emphasizing the influence of prefixes like ‘anti-‘, ‘non-‘, and ‘counter-’ on the cultural landscape, the author asserts that attempts to destroy or cancel someone’s culture are not only impossible but also destructive, as any culture is an integral part of human experience, encompassing thoughts, beliefs, and history. In conclusion, the article underlines the uniqueness of the Russian character, distinct from Western aspirations for infinity and freedom through symbols of rebellion, space, and solitude. It stresses the need to protect Russian culture not only for the preservation of historical memory but also as a valuable mosaic piece in the global cultural palette, unique in its multifaceted nature and depth of meaning.
Keywords: philosophical reflection, Russian culture, anti-culture, cancel culture, M. Bakhtin
References
1. Bakhtin, M.M. Aesthetics of verbal creativity. Moscow: Iskusstvo, 2016. 444 p.
2. Berdyaev, N.A. Philosophical truth and intellectual truth // In Search of Truth: Russian Intellectuals and the Fate of Russia. Moscow: Respublika, 1992. P. 34.
3. Berdyaev, N. Russian Idea. St. Petersburg: Azbuka-classika, 2018. P. 30–37.
4. Dostoevsky, F.M. Publicity and Letters. Vols. XVIII–XXX. September-November // The Complete Works in 30 Vols. Monthly edition of 1877 Leningrad: Nauka, 1984. Vol. 26. P. 41–43.
5. Losev, A.F. Philosophy. Mythology. Culture. Moscow: Politizdat, 2001. 524 p.
6. Lossky, N.O. The Doctrine of Ideas and the Foundations of Intuitive Metaphysics. In: Russian Philosophy of the 19th — 20th Centuries. Moscow: Mysl, 2005. 495 с.
7. Rodicheva, I.S. Anticulture as a variation of “philosophy of action”: the negation of Russian culture. In: Philosophy and Culture of Information Society. St. Petersburg, 2022. P. 121–123.
8. Rodicheva, I.S. “Zarathustra” by Friedrich Nietzsche in the perspective of comparative analysis: East-West. In: Logunov Readings: Collection. Moscow: RosNOU (VF), 2008. P. 107–112.
9. Solovyov, V.S. Russian Idea [translation of the report read in 1888 in Paris. in French] / transl. from Fr. G.A. Rachinsky. Leningrad: Nauka, 1984. 18 p.
10. Dowler, W. Dostoevsky, Grigor’ev and Native Soil Conservatism. Toronto, 1982. 240 р.
11. Fedotov, G.P. The Russian Religious Mind. The Tenth to Thirteenth Centuries. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1960. P. IX, X, XI.
.png)
