Orthodox Thought in Postmodern Conditions: Philosophical Context and Three Ways of Development

Abstract

The article analyzes the philosophical context of the development of Orthodox postmodern thought. The author gives a brief description of the ontology, anthropology and epistemology of postmodernism and such ideas as «the death of God», «the death of the subject», «the death of truth», «the end of metaphysics», etc. Further, the author describes the main features of the concepts of Orthodox postmodern thinkers — D. Hart, metropolitan John (Zizioulas) and J. Manoussakis and reveals their connection with the ideas of postmodern philosophy. The author comes to the conclusion that D. Hart in his theoesthetics finds an opportunity to express the Christian teaching about God in the conditions of «God’s death and in contrast to the postmodern ontology, in which being is understood as chaos and violence, he formulates a «peaceful ontology», where being is beauty and gift. Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) formulates the Christian doctrine of man using the concept of «the Other» and taking into account the idea of «the death of the subject». J. Manoussakis creates a theory of mystical sensualism, through which he finds the opportunity to talk about God and knowledge of God in the conditions of «the death of truth» and «the end of metaphysics». The author emphasizes that none of the theories described is not intended to be a substitute for patristic theology. They have other tasks: to actualize Christianity in modern philosophy, to Express Christian truths in language and taking into account the worldview of modern Western society.