Russian Thinkers (Penguin Classics)

All essays in this collection are remarkable but 'The Hedgehog and the Fox' is one of those essays that will take you on a trip to the relativity of truth and have you question both the physical and metaphysical through Berlin's eyes. There are many philosophical angles from which one can interpret Berlin's analysis of the Russian intelligentsia, the one that stands out the most is the question that defined nineteenth Russia, as well as Europe:'What is to be done?'There are two strains of thought in the Russian intellectual circles of this time, the Slavophil movement and the Western-oriented intellectuals. Berlin notes that these were not organized political camps engaged in constant debates of any sort (as there was no political movement to speak of at this time in Russia) but rather unsystematic frames of thinking with which Russian intellectuals of the time identified.The advocates of the Slavophil idea maintained that the salvation of Russia was to be found within Russia; that Russian lifestyle, Russian simplicity and modesty was superior to Western complex theories for the advancement of society. Berlin penetrates Tolstoy's consciousness and deciphers the characters and plots of War and Peace for what they represent i.e. the clash between Western scientific thought and the fundamentally Russian way of life. He argues that Tolstoy would have us believe that, in the end, it is the wise Russian General Kutuzov who wins, not because power or strategy had any significant consequence in the battle itself, but because he has not been infiltrated with Western military tactics and in part because he used his, to use Berlin's words "...Russian, untutored instinct..." and it is this Russian untutored instincts that Tolstoy wants to triumph over scientific rationality.Western oriented intellectuals on the other hand, most of whom were in exile throughout Europe at this time, believed that the solution to Russia's problems could only come through the kind of reform being introduced in Western Europe, not necessarily the revolutionary kind, for Chadaaev the most ardent Western oriented mind in Russia at the time was by and far an ardent conservative who believed in aristocratic virtues, but a representational government like that of Britain.Berlin engages Tolstoy in the center of nineteenth century European philosophical discourse on account of his views on simplicity (the hedgehog) and complexity (the fox) of both his work and personality (if we come to understand the simplicity to represent the adeptly Russian and the complexity to represent the ineptly Western European.) Tolstoy had managed or rather convinced himself that scientific theories are all assumptions and that if one is not exposed to these theories he/she has a better chance of knowing the truth, in Berlin's words "He [Tolstoy] believed that only by patient empirical observation could any knowledge be obtained; that this knowledge is always inadequate, that simple people often know the truth better than learned man, because their observations of men and nature are less clouded by empty theories, and not because they are inspired vehicles of the divine afflatus."Berlin was a mastermind in interpreting and deciphering the Russian intellect, because his knowledge of Russia was unparalleled for his time, which is why this collection of essays is one of the best anthologies on the evolution of the Russian thought. Reading Berlin can sometimes be a frustrating experience because one feels that the interpretation of literature can only stretch to a certain limit and you wonder if indeed the author was trying to get to where Berlin is taking you or if is what Berlin wants to find in the subliminal nature of the author (in this case Tolstoy) and perhaps that's what attracts one to Berlin's brilliant mind.

Berlin writes a comprehensive book on the history of Russian philosophers and authors going back to the 19th century. His seminal essay, "The Hedgehog and the Fox: An essay on Tolstoy's View of History" is included. It is the best selection and does more than discuss Tolstoy. It delves into Berlin's philosophy regarding influences upon an individual that go far beyond commonplace discussions about power and relationships. He identifies Tolstoy's struggle to seek out pragmatic evidence while secretly longing for evidence of a grand vision or theory. The Hedgehog is the seeker of the big idea, the fox digs for individual idiosyncracies.The other discussions about Russian writers and thinkers provide details about each man and what Berlin thought of his writing, regardless of his respect for the author's ideas. I was so intrigued by Berlin's insights, that I wrote an article based on it published this week, "Reading History: Hedgehogs and Foxes with the National Association of Scholars (see "Articles") at [...]

“Hedgehog and the Fox” is a must-read when you slog through the War and Peace epilogues. All the essays provide great background for 19th Century Russian Lit.

This is a very important book in my opinion, because it analyzes certain utopian ideas that produced chaos during the 20th Century, but remain popular today despite their horrible track record. Basically, this outstanding work of historical scholarship is about a group of Russian intellectuals who believed if they rid Russia of the monarchy, capitalism, and Russian Orthodox Church, life would be wonderful. So the Tsar and his family were killed, capitalism was wiped out, and the Russian Orthodox Church was suppressed. As we all know, paradise didn't ensue. Instead Russia ended up with the Gulag Archipeligo. How could so many brilliant intellectuals be wrong? Well, perhaps brilliant intellectuals aren't as brilliant as they imagine. If you want to understand the modern world, and the pitfalls of seemingly wonderful utopian ideas, this is the book to read. The author is a highly-respected historian, not a journalist slanting the facts in an effort to convince you to vote for his or her favorite candidate.

The book is in decent shape, but I have not yet read it.

Excellent book. One can read and re-read these illustrative essays by Dr. Berlin, and never feel overwhelmed. Extraordinary command of narrative; throughout he remains loyal to his central point that the great writers of the nineteenth century Russian intelligentsia respected the diversity of the material and intellectual world, while always seeking for a central axis inside this diversity. Berlin's essays on Tolstoi and Herzen provide especially fine reading, and grist for reflection. The book arrived in splendid shape, and well within the expected shipment time.

One of the best collections of essays I have ever read. Deep insights into the troubles that face Russia (and mankind more generally) and the various ways members of the 19th century intelligentsia thought about those issues. Fathers and Sons and Hedgehog and the Fox are both unforgettable.

A superb book about russian russian thinkers in the 19. century, written by the critical philosoph Isaiah Berlin. To understand the rise of the russian communism it is a 'must' to have some knowledge about the disparate ideas of the russian intellectuals in the 19. century. And contemporary Russia.

Isaiah Berlin is always a pleasure to read. When I first read him (decades ago) I was simply overwhelmed by his superior knowledge, but felt he was interested in the wrong things - why discuss older Russian thinkers when there was so much more interesting modern 'theories'? Now, as an older chap, this has switched around a bit: I am more attuned to what he was interested in, but I also recognise the quirkiness of his vision.He seems to have been very much a progressive conservative of his time, mixing intelligence with self-denying caution (a mid-century interest in progressive reform without partisan alignment or reformist zeal). So, he thinks that life is rich and complex and our liberal penchant for thinking we have understood life for the first time is a flattering simplification that will push us into bossing other people around - to no good effect. In other words he hates the reduction of the rich tapestry of life to simple rules - rules that invariably prove reductive and mistaken. Berlin's hero is Herzen, who was benign yet pragmatic. Herzen wanted to a politics and economics with a sense of justice and humanity without bending human lives too far out of line to fit some new theory. Herzen, like Berlin, wanted to support us in becoming truly better - and this book articulates that old-man's wisdom very nicely.Berlin thinks well and writes in a pleasing way. His thoughts are supple and, reasonably enough, don't quite boil down to a neat theory. His take on Tolstoy is a good way to get Berlin's measure. Tolstoy argued (repeatedly) in War and Peace that our habit of understanding history in terms of heroes is wrong-headed. No individual can determine history, which is actually a rich web of interconnecting events, conditions and causes. Tolstoy argues that Napoleon and Kutusov floated on the surface of events, taking credit and receiving blame for things way beyond their ken. The only difference being that Kutusov understood this and was hated for not playing up to the hero myth, while Napoleon did play up to it and was lionised. That's all well and good, but that's it for Tolstoy - it's as if the narrative and literary aspects were never in play. he is tone-deaf to literature and the way it also has truths to tell us. He seems drawn to creative work and appreciative of it, but just clumsy around it.Still, for £2.99 for the Kindle version, this is amazing value for money. It was enjoyable to read, super instructive and very thoughtful. Tom Stoppard loved this book and his mid- and late-plays reflect similar attitudes mixed with similar levels of knowledge and intelligence.

Having read biography of Isaiah Berlin I was interested to read his work and it does not disappoint. A penetrating analysis of Russian thought much with relevance to present politics.

Excellent introduction

Thanks

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