Reflection on one of the theses of S.N. Bulgakov, initiated by the idea of process logic

Abstract

Building on A.V. Smirnov’s distinction between substantive and process logic, the author evaluates the position of S.N. Bulgakov laid out in “The Tragedy of Philosophy”. The article shows that the judgment “I am A”, which Bulgakov considers the fundamental principle of thought and the basis for defining the Self as a hypostasis, cannot be a form of defining the Self as an individual. Individuality is not defined within the framework of substantial logic (“I am A”), but defines itself within the framework of process logic (“I affirm A”). The author considers three forms of affirmation of the Self: affirmation as performativity, affirmation as negation, and affirmation as productive action. Conclusion: the being of the Self, which requires the active action of the Self itself, is the ontological basis for the existence of process logic.