Spirit Is Liberty

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a critical period of historical transformation.For Russia,it was the Silver Era of cultural prosperity,and a period of gestation before the democratic revolution.For the world,it is the preparatory period before the First World War,and also the period when the artistic trends collide violently and step into the modernization.Berdyaev's philosophical thoughts on human and fate began to form in such a complex historical background,and finally constructed a concrete and true metaphysics.His existentialist philosophy about liberty,with Christianity as the cornerstone,is closely related to individual personality,which is manifested as the confrontation between liberty and slavery of objectification,that is,the confrontation between particularity and universality.Berdyaev has no special aesthetic works,but the view on beauty runs through his philosophy and is an inseparable part of liberal spirit.This paper will discuss the basic principles of Berdyaev's liberal world and further explain his theory of liberalism from the aspects of aesthetics,artistic creation and literary criticism.The first part summarizes the existential and Christian foundation of his liberal philosophy,and overviews the antagonistic relationship between liberty and objectification from the aspects of individual personality,slavery and temptation,love and lust.It points out the significance of individuality to the realization of liberty.The second part explores the concept of "beauty" in the special position of Berdyaev's philosophy and its function,showing his resistance to all formula by his criticism of stylized beauty.It will also discuss "creation",one of the three main themes of his thoughts,and the paradox between creation and human nature,which leads to his creative ethics.Finally,it discusses the relationship between beauty and liberty,and points out that the highest mission of human beings is to pursue freedom and complete individual personality.The third part points out Berdyaev's ultimate goal-to establish a liberal world free from the bondage of objectification through the distinction between "this world" and "liberal world".And come to the conclusion "spirit is liberty" according to his methods for different art to achieve liberty.The fourth part discusses the important influence of Dostoyevsky on the formation of Berdyaev's liberal thought and the special position of literature in art research,as well Berdyaev's unique understanding of liberty in his literary criticism.The final part gives a comparative analysis on Berdyaev's and Bergson's criticism about Kant's libertarism,and their differences and similarities about the view of spirit and life,so as to point out the peculiarity as well as limitation of Berdyaev's thought,hope to help researchers understand his personality charm of developing a school of his own under the conflict between logos and faith.As for social happiness theory that Berdyaev objected to,the way of socialism with Chinese characteristics to protect human rights and freedom is a powerful response.This paper will use the achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics to answer his concerns,and point out the enlightenment of Berdyaev's liberal thoughts on the current situation in China under the influence of novel coronavirus.