“Theurgic creativity” in philosophical conceptions of F. Nietzsche, Vl. Solovyov, and N. Berdyaev

Abstract

The article presents a comparative analysis of theurgic activity in the works of three thinkers from the point of the generic understanding of theurgy as a “complete transformation of reality”. Despite the literal meaning of the term “theurgy”, according to all three thinkers, the indicated transforming influence is carried out by man and not by God. Although F. Nietzsche himself does not utilize the concept of theurgy, his theory of the Übermensch does fit into the framework of radical theurgic creativity since it presupposes a complete transformation of man carried out by himself, a change in his ontological nature. What is noted as a substantial similarity of the understanding of the transforming human activity by V. Solovyov and F. Nietzsche is that both thinkers view man as a product and the highest link of nature from which it follows that the highest calling of man is the transformation of not only himself but also nature. The difference lies in the fact that in Nietzsche’s view, the theurgic transformation is carried out by a person alone, through heroic effort. According to Solovyov, the main path of transformation of man and the world – the path of love – begins with a combination of two individuals and leads to conciliarity. In contrast, N. Berdyaev’s conception of theurgic creativity is distinguished by its radical transcendence, opposition to nature.

Keywords

• vladimir solovyov
• nikolai berdyaev
• friedrich nietzsche
• theurgy
• übermensch
• total unity