Three Paradigm Shifts in the Study of the History of Russian Philosophy in Contemporary China

This work examines three paradigm shifts in contemporary Chinese studies of Russian philosophy. The first shift in the scientific paradigm took place in the context of “from Marxism to Orthodoxy”. From a Marxist point of view, Russian philosophy in contemporary Chinese science is studied by Professors Jia Zelin and An Qinian. Their attention is mainly focused on Russian philosophy of the Soviet period. At the same time, Professors Xu Fenglin and Zhang Baichun, who are also considered outstanding Chinese researchers of Russian philosophy, prefer to approach Russian philosophy from the perspective of Orthodox Christianity. Professor Zhang Baichun’s research on Khoruzhiy’s philosophical asceticism has broadened our understanding of practical philosophy in Russian Orthodoxy by establishing the philosophical paradigm of “synergetic anthropology”. The second paradigm shift can be characterised by the words “from Orthodoxy to religious philosophy”. The interest of Chinese scholars in Orthodox paradigms has spread to the field of religious philosophy. Xu Fenglin and Zhang Baichun, while researching Orthodoxy, also studied Russian religious philosophy. In recent years, young Chinese scholars engaged in the study of Russian philosophy have been paying increasing attention to contemporary Russian philosophers, one of whom is Professor I.I. Evlampiev. Professor I.I. Evlampiev characterised Russian philosophy as a search for ‘true Christianity’. The third paradigm shift is associated with the transition ‘from religious philosophy to political philosophy’. For example, Chinese scholars have been translating and researching the works of Ivan Ilyin for twenty years. In recent years, under the influence of the contemporary Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, a significant amount of research on Russian Eurasianism has also appeared in China. According to Chinese scholars, the successes of Russian political philosophy are directly linked to its ancient origins. Therefore, the field of classical studies is also directly linked to the study of Russian philosophy, and Chinese scholars hope to expand cooperation with Russian specialists in this area.