SCIENTIFIC VIEWS OF PRINCE M. M. SHCHERBATOV: FROM THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

Skopa V. A.

The article presents the scientific views of Prince M. M. Shcherbatov in the context of historical and philosophical analysis. The works of representatives of the Enlightenment - d’Alembert, J. Locke, D. Hume, significantly influenced their formation. His political, social and philosophical views corresponded to the era of Enlightened absolutism. Being an objective idealist in his worldview, in presenting his views he gravitated toward non-church forms of religiosity and, unlike Freemasonry, had a negative attitude towards mysticism, alchemy and complex ritual and magical rituals. Shcherbatov's philosophical views in the context of the spirit of the Enlightenment are contradictory and sometimes eclectic. The works and views of Prince Shcherbatov were characterized by a rationalistic point of view. From this position, the individual was the creator of history, and the course of events was explained as the result of the conscious activity of this individual. Studying the nature of the state and its institutions, M. M. Shcherbatov singled out the inherent flaws in the structure: bribery, embezzlement, violation of hierarchical subordination in the management system.

Keywords: history of philosophical thought, M. M. Shcherbatov, philosophical anthropology, absolutism, Russian Empire