The Uncertainty of the World and the Problem of Russian Civilization
The article analyzes civilizational problems, which are largely determined by the environment or background, i.e., the socio-political situation in the country and the world, which exerts indirect impact. In this regard, the article considers the new situation in the world, characterized by instability in all spheres, which also affects the human situation. This situation is defined in literature as the end of certainty or beginning of “uncertainty,” which is reflected in modern terminology, attributed with the word “new” or the prefix “post-.” It is noted that despite the current topicality, this concept has a long history in philosophy, starting from the classics and continuing into modern philosophy. The paper dwells on the contribution of the modern Russian civilizational theory to the state of uncertainty in Russia, caused both by the terminological ambiguity and uncertainty of the key concepts of this theory, and by the ideological and worldview differences of its representatives. The article discusses the three versions of the assessment of Russian state, which remain in the humanitarian discourse of new Russia for thirty years. Special attention is paid to the third version as the most tenacious one, according to which Russia has been and remains part of the West, and we clarify the reasons for its persistent popularity. Considering this version, the author applies the concept of the Other, which has become relevant after it had become clear that the movement toward the West without taking into account the historical peculiarities of Russia was not so successful, and the West made efforts to constrain Russia. The paper concludes that closer attention to the background will help to bring together the positions of different authors and minimize the uncertainty that is taking on more and more disturbing features. This research can contribute to the formation of worldview coordinates and values that determine vital priorities and development prospects, to the emergence of a civilization development project that satisfies the entire society.