Russian Folklore as a Reflection of National Character in the Work of Boris Vysheslavtzev

Abstract

The essay is focused on the spiritual crisis of Russian culture at the beginning of the 20th Century and on the search of philosophical alternatives to overcome the crisis within the framework of Russian philosophical thought. In particular, it highlights the work of Boris P. Vysheslavtzev, a major thinker among Russian immigrants and his studies in Russian folklore seen as reflection of Russian national character. The essay for the first time introduces new data concerning the specificity of the choice that was highly important for Russian literature and culture as it was for Russian folklore studies.

Keywords

• Russian folklore
• ethnology
• folklore studies
• fairy tale
• Silver Age
• Vysheslavtzev
• Russian philosophy in immigration