“Symphonic philosophising” (biographical features of S. L. Frank’s and l. Binswanger’s correspondence)

Abstract

The article analyses biographical features in the correspondence between the Russian philosopher S. L. Frank and the Swiss psychiatrist L. Binswanger. It is one of the most notable examples of philosophical dialogue between Russia and Western Europe. It lasted for almost 16 years from November 1934 to December 1950. The correspondents make a very open and intimate conversation on various topics, e. g. elevated understanding of true male friendship, scientifi c interests in the fi elds of psychology, philosophy, religion, psychoanalysis, medicine, travels, conferences, presentations, meetings of philosophers, mutual friends, circle of reading (Russian literature and contemporary European authors), history of Europe, everyday life, everyday concerns about children and spouse, illness, notifi cations of the death of loved ones. The correspondence between Frank and Binswanger has a character of confession and helps not only clarify certain facts of the life of the Russian philosopher in emigration, but also provides new valuable materials for understanding his personal, spiritual and philosophical evolution, as well as the creative history of published and unpublished works. Currently, this correspondence, kept in the archive of the University of Tübingen, is being prepared for publication both in Russian translation and in the original languages (German, French, English).

Keywords

• философский диалог россии и западной европы
• философия с. л. франка
• биография
• переписка
• л. бинсвангер
• психоанализ
• русская философия в эмиграции