School
Tolstoyan movement
Overview
The Tolstoyan movement (Russian: Толсто́вство, romanized: Tolstovstvo) is a social movement based on the philosophical and religious views of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910). Tolstoy's views were formed by rigorous study of the ministry of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount.
Tolstoy expressed "great joy" that groups of people "have been springing up, not only in Russia but in various parts of Europe, who are in complete agreement with our views." However, the author also thought it was a mistake to create a specific movement or doctrine after him, urging individuals to listen to their own conscience rather than blindly follow his. In regard to a letter he received from an adherent, he wrote:
To speak of "Tolstoyism," to seek guidance, to inquire about my solution of questions, is a great and gross error. There has not been, nor is there any "teaching" of mine. There exists only the one eternal universal teaching of the Truth, which for me, for us, is especially clearly expressed in the Gospels...I advised this young lady to live not by my conscience, as she wished, but by her own.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
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His profound instinct of self-preservation stands against truth ever coming into honour in any way, or even getting stated. Wherever the influence of theologians is felt there is a transvaluation of values, and the concepts "true" and "false" are forced to change places: whatever is most damaging to life is there called "true," and whatever exalts it, intensifies it, approves it, justifies it and makes it triumphant…
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, The Antichrist
States what Tolstoyan movement is.
This separation of powers, on which the final organization of society will principally depend, is understood and valued nowhere but in the new school of philosophy, if we except the unconscious and tacit admiration for it which still exists in the countries from which Protestantism has been excluded. From the outset of the Revolution, the pride of theorists has always made them wish to become socially despotic; a…
Auguste Comte, A General View of Positivism Or, Summary exposition of the System of Thought and Life
States what Tolstoyan movement is.
It is true, that the bodies of the faithfull, after the Resurrection shall be not onely Spirituall, but Eternall; but in this life they are grosse, and corruptible. There is therefore no other Government in this life, neither of State, nor Religion, but Temporall; nor teaching of any doctrine, lawfull to any Subject, which the Governour both of the State, and of the Religion, forbiddeth to be taught: And that…
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
States what Tolstoyan movement is.
Related ideas
- Anarchism
- Government
- Satyagraha
- Ludwig Wittgenstein
- Leon Trotsky
- Christians
- Conscience
- Leo Tolstoy
- Doctrine
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Simple living
- Russian Revolution
- Siberia
- Christian socialism
- Christian anarchism
- Russian Orthodox Church
- Johannesburg
- Asceticism
- Divinity
- Miracles of Jesus
- The Gospel in Brief
Place in the tradition
Part of Russian philosophy.