Stoic narrative in the journal “Faith and Reason” (1884–1917)

Abstract

The scope of the study is the Stoics’ and Stoic philosophy’s images in the influential theological-philosophical journal "Faith and Reason". Its materials constituted a significant part of the philosophical articles on the Stoics in the late 19th-early 20th century Russia. Due to confessional bias and peculiarities of the intellectual debates of that time, the journal's authors did not limit themselves to historical-philosophical or theological studies of Stoic philosophy. "Faith and Reason" attempted to unfold a multidimensional critical narrative of desperate Stoic mood, the religious wickedness of the Stoics, and the cold spirit of their morals, contrasting the personal wisdom of the Roman Stoics with their school affiliation. It is suggested that the Stoic narrative offered in the journal was intended to exert an edifying influence on its audience, to demonstrate the perverse nature of Stoic teachings as well as their incompatibility with the truth of Christianity.