Vladimir Soloviev

Vladimir Soloviev (1853–1900) is widely regarded as Russia’s greatest religious philosopher, indeed as one of the great religious philosophers of modern times or of all times. Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar wrote that he is “perhaps second only to Thomas Aquinas as the greatest artist of order and organization in the history of thought.” His metaphysics of all-unity, conception of humanity’s divine potential and vocation (“divine humanity”), mystical visions of Sophia the Wisdom of God, social ideal of “free theocracy,” and ecumenism form an incredibly powerful religious-philosophical worldview. At the heart of that worldview is the gospel message, “God is love” (1 John 4:16). This volume, consisting of fifteen chapters by scholars from around the world, offers a nuanced, comprehensive look at Soloviev’s metaphysics, philosophical anthropology, conception of good and evil, social philosophy, and faith in cosmic redemption.