Religious Anthropology of Russian Spiritualism of the Late 19th - Early 20th century

This research focuses on cultural reception of spiritualistic ideas in Russia. Contemporary spiritualism is examined in the anthropological aspect. It reveals the ideas of Russian spiritualism on the purpose of man and humanity, as well as the organization of man and his spiritual destiny. Compared to foreign spiritualists, Russian spiritualists have frequently criticized individualism as a variety of egoism, gave priority collectivism and traditionalism, and felt that the principle of spiritual hierarchy was above the principle of personal freedom. These types of priorities were due to the evolutionary and monistic philosophy of spiritualism but also were deeply influenced by national and religious factors. Russian spiritualists have placed the inner spiritual freedom of a person, In Russian spiritualism internal spiritual human freedom, which included their submission to spiritual law, higher than the demands of their economic, social, and political liberation.