Українознавство (Jul 2020)
Influence of H. Skovoroda on the Formation of the Ukrainian Cordocentric Tradition
Abstract
The article highlights key philosophical ideas of H. Skovoroda, among which “cordocentrism” plays the main part. The research points out that the philosopher’s work was greatly influenced by both the ideas of the German mysticism and ancient traditions, in particular those of pantheism and Neoplatonism, which can be traced in the preceding Ukrainian philosophical thought. It is noted that continuing the cordocentric tradition, H. Skovoroda believed in the ability of a person to comprehend their divine essence only through their heart and faith. However, the philosopher does not oppose faith to reason. In his opinion, the mind must seek for the truth, which a man does not possess as a given. It is emphasized that Skovoroda saw it as a primary tool for cognition of all three worlds – the greater, or the cosmos; the smaller, or a human; the symbolic, or the Bible. The latter is meant for the mind to find a deep spiritual understanding; however, without faith it cannot reach the heights of spirituality. The article indicates the similarity of H. Skovoroda’s and Pascal’s ideas. Like Pascal, Skovoroda gives the heart a rational form, sometimes equating the idea to the heart. For Pascal, the heart is indeed a source of knowledge to the same extent as the cognition. Both Pascal and Skovoroda believed that the heart learns primarily through love. It is emphasized that the heart is able to pave the way to the perception of the individual fullness more than any other part of the human body (Homo totus). The article points out that according to H. Skovoroda, the mind and the faith are two aspects of the human spirit, which are inextricably linked, learning both the outer existence and the inner world of a man. However, deep comprehension of the divine essence is possible only through faith, focused in the heart.
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