Ivan Kireyevsky

Ivan Vasilyevich Kireyevsky (3 April 1806 – 23 June 1856) was a Russian literary critic and philosopher who, together with Aleksey Khomyakov, is credited as a co-founder of the Slavophile movement. Born into a cultivated noble family, Kireyevsky's early life was influenced by his father's aversion to French atheism and his mother's critique of post-Petrine officialdom. He attended Moscow University, where he became interested in German philosophy and joined the circle of 'wisdom-lovers' (Lyubomudry). He was particularly drawn to Schelling's philosophy, which resonated with his dislike of European rationalism. Kireyevsky gained fame for his analyses of contemporary authors, including a notable 1828 review of Pushkin's poetry. After traveling in Europe and attending lectures by prominent philosophers, he returned to Moscow and founded the journal 'Yevropeyets' ('The European'), which was banned after two issues. His writings, like 'The Nineteenth Century,' critiqued Western philosophy and values, contrasting them with the perceived integrality ('sobornost') of Russian society. Following a twelve-year hiatus in his literary career, Kireyevsky re-emerged in the 1840s, aligning with the Slavophile side in intellectual debates. He contrasted the rationalism of Aristotle and medieval Catholic thinkers with the philosophy of Plato and Greek Church Fathers. Kireyevsky emphasized the importance of Eastern Orthodoxy and the spiritual treasures of medieval Russia, viewing monasteries as unifying forces. He died at the age of 50 during a cholera epidemic and was buried alongside his brother in the Optina Monastery.