Petr Yakovlevich Chaadaev - Russian philosopher, thinker, publicist. His main work - "Philosophical Letters" - contained such harsh criticism of contemporary Russia that the authorities officially declared him insane. He was born in Moscow on June 7 (May 27, O.S.) 1794, became the successor of the family in a rich old noble family, became an orphan early and was brought up with his aunt, Princess A. Shcherbatova.

In their house, Peter received an excellent education at home, which he continued at Moscow University (1807-1811). In this educational institution he was expected to meet the future Decembrists I. Yakushkin and N. Turgenev. In May 1812 Chaadaev and his brother entered the Semyonovsky regiment as warrant officers, in 1813 he was transferred to the Akhtyrsky hussar regiment. Chaadaev was a participant Patriotic War 1812 and the Battle of Borodino in particular, he became a Knight of the Order of St. Anna and the Prussian Kulm cross; participated in foreign military campaigns in 1813-1814, fought in battles near Leipzig, Paris, etc.

In 1816, the cornet Chaadaev was transferred to the Life Guards Hussar Regiment, stationed in Tsarskoe Selo. Here, in the house of Karamzin, he met A.S. Pushkin. Chaadaev then made a huge impression on him. In addition, in 1816 Chaadaev became a member of the Masonic lodge, met A. Griboyedov, S. Volkonsky, P. Pestel, M. Muravyov-Apostol.

In 1817, Petr Chaadaev was appointed adjutant to General Vasilchikov. At the end of 1820, he sent Chaadaev to the tsar with a report on the mutinous battalion of the Semyonovsky Life Guards regiment, in which he had served before. A month and a half after this mission, Chaadaev submitted a letter of resignation, and in February 1821 it was granted. The reasons for this act remain not fully clear, but, be that as it may, it produced a considerable resonance, gave rise to many versions, especially since Chaadaev was a well-known person in society. Among other things, he was famous for his education, excellent manners, and a particularly reverent attitude towards his clothes. Everyone expected a brilliant career from him, friendship with him was considered an honor.

In 1819 P. Chaadaev became a member of the Decembrist "Union of Welfare", in 1821 - the Northern Society of Decembrists. This membership almost played a fatal role in his biography, but he never took an active part in the work of societies and treated her with a fair amount of skepticism. From 1823 to 1826 traveled across the continent, visited the UK, France, Germany; the trip was connected, among other things, with the desire to improve the deteriorating health. In May 1822, Chaadaev divided the property, since did not intend to return to his homeland. However, in 1826 he did it and was arrested almost immediately. He was accused of involvement in the Decembrist movement, but it was not possible to prove it, Chaadaev categorically denied everything, and 40 days later was released. Later, he would speak unflatteringly about the Decembrist uprising, seeing in this step throwing society back half a century.

Upon returning to his homeland, Pyotr Yakovlevich lived in Moscow, as well as in a village near Moscow, on his aunt's estate. During this period, he communicates little, reads a lot, leads a secluded life. During 1829-1831. writes on French main job in his life - "Letters on Philosophy and History", which has become well known as "Philosophical Letters". They were presented to the public in the spring of 1830, and in the late spring or early summer of 1831, Chaadaev interrupted his seclusion and resumed appearances.

In 1836, the first letter was published in the Teleskop magazine, which resulted in the editor's exile and the censor's dismissal. Chaadaev himself was officially declared insane and house arrest was used as a punishment, which was lifted only in 1837 on the condition that he no longer write a single line. The Apology of the Madman, written during this period, was published only posthumously. Chaadaev spent the rest of his life in Moscow, actively participated in public life. In the period after the Crimean War, he had thoughts of suicide, because he saw the future of Russia in the darkest light. He died on April 26 (April 14, O.S.) 1856 in Moscow from pneumonia and was buried here, at the Donskoy cemetery.

Chaadaev's work, his ideas were so ambiguous that various definitions were applied to him - a conservative, a religious thinker, a mystic, a militant Westerner, etc. Be that as it may, the role of his ideas in the formation of Russian social thought is very significant. The worldview of many thinkers, in particular V. Belinsky, Herzen, M. Bakunin, was formed not without the influence of Chaadaev.

P.Ya. Chaadaev (1794-1856) was a philosopher, thinker, publicist who sharply criticized Russian reality in his writings, for which he was declared a madman by the government.

Belonged to a noble family, old, noble and wealthy. On the father's side, the clan goes back to people from Lithuania. Mother, nee Shcherbatova, came from an ancient princely family.

On May 27 (June 7), 1794, in patriarchal Moscow, in the Chaadaev family, a boy named Peter was born. When he was 3 years old, he was left without parents, and his mother's sister, Princess A.M. Shcherbatov. From the Nizhny Novgorod province, where the family lived then, the brothers moved to Moscow. The boys are taken over by Prince D.M. Shcherbatov is the mother's brother.

The future philosopher received an excellent education at home and entered Moscow University (1808), where he met the poet A.S. Griboyedov and the future Decembrists N.I. Turgenev and I.D. Yakushkin.

The thunderstorm of 1812 summons Chaadaev, and he goes to the battlefields. His military career begins. With Russian regiments, he reaches Paris.

Returning to Russia, the young officer continues to serve in the Guards Corps, quartered in Tsarskoe Selo. Here Chaadaev approaches A.S. Pushkin and becomes a friend and mentor of the future poet.

Chaadaev is rapidly moving up the career ladder. He becomes a prominent person in the highest circles. He is well-known, enjoys the disposition of crowned persons. In a brilliant future, no one doubts him.

In 1821, an event occurs that was unexpected for everyone: Chaadaev interrupts his successful career and retires. Soon after, future Decembrists often see him in their secret societies. But the spiritual aspirations of P.Ya. Chaadaev, their activity is not responsible, and he moves away from them.

In 1823, the publicist went on a trip abroad. He visits Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, England. At this time, the genius of Russian thought is experiencing a deep spiritual crisis, the way out of which he finds in the study of the works of Western philosophers and theologians, scientists and writers. Chaadaev's views, under their influence, acquire a philosophical and mystical orientation.

The publicist returns to Russia in 1826 and sees Nikolayev's Russia already. He is experiencing the bitter fate of the Decembrists: there were many of his friends among them. For 5 years, Chaadaev retired with his aunt, after which he moved to Moscow.

Here he starts active social life... Chaadaev spreads his ideas and dresses them in the form of private letters, giving them the character of journalistic works.

Letters begin to circulate, they are read, discussed. The Teleskop magazine in 1836 publishes the first Philosophical Letter by Chaadaev. This is his only work published during the life of the thinker. In total, Chaadaev writes 8 "Philosophical Letters", where he sets out his historical and philosophical thoughts.

The letter gets a wide public response. Chaadaev is accused of not loving Russia, vilifying its past and insulting the present. Tsar Nicholas I declares the article impudent and the author insane. The Telescope magazine is closed, Chaadaev is officially declared insane. From that moment on, the philosopher begins to live as a hermit in a house on Basmannaya Street. They forbid him to write, restrict communication, he actually ends up under house arrest. In the fall of 1837, Nicholas I freed the "Basmanny philosopher" from the supervision of doctors, but still forbids writing.

In an atmosphere of seclusion P.Ya. Chaadaev creates "The Apology of a Madman" (1836-1837), trying to justify himself before society for his views.

P.Ya. died. Chaadaev on April 14 (26), 1856. The ashes of the Russian thinker are buried in the Donskoy Monastery in Moscow.

Interesting Facts and dates from life

CHAADAEV, PETR YAKOVLEVICH(1794-1856), Russian philosopher, publicist. Born May 27 (June 7) 1794 in Moscow into a noble family. Chaadaev's maternal grandfather was the famous historian and publicist Prince M.M. Shcherbatov. After the early death of his parents, Chaadaev was raised by his aunt and uncle. In 1808 he entered Moscow University, where he became close to the writer A.S. Griboyedov, the future Decembrists I.D. Yakushkin and N.I. Turgenev, and other prominent figures of his time. In 1811 he left the university and joined the guard. Participated in the Patriotic War of 1812, in the foreign campaign of the Russian army. In 1814 in Krakow he was admitted to the Masonic lodge.

Returning to Russia, Chaadaev continued his military service as a cornet of the Life Guards hussar regiment. His biographer M. Zhikharev wrote: "A brave fired officer, tested in three gigantic campaigns, impeccably noble, honest and amiable in private relations, he had no reason not to enjoy the deep, unconditional respect and affection of his comrades and superiors." In 1816, in Tsarskoe Selo, Chaadaev met the lyceum student A.S. Pushkin and soon became a beloved friend and teacher of the young poet, whom he called "a graceful genius" and "our Dante." Three poetic messages from Pushkin are dedicated to Chaadaev, his features were embodied in the image of Onegin. The personality of Chaadaev was described by Pushkin with famous poems To the portrait of Chaadaev: “He is higher by the will of heaven / Born in the shackles of the royal service; / He would be Brutus in Rome, Pericles in Athens, / And here he is an officer of the Hussars. Constant communication between Pushkin and Chaadaev was interrupted in 1820 due to Pushkin's southern exile. However, the correspondence and meetings continued throughout his life. On October 19, 1836, Pushkin wrote a famous letter to Chaadaev, in which he argued with the views on the destiny of Russia expressed by Chaadaev in Philosophical writing.

In 1821, Chaadaev, unexpectedly for everyone, abandoned his brilliant military and court career, retired and entered the secret society of the Decembrists. Not finding the satisfaction of his spiritual needs in this activity, in 1823 he went on a trip to Europe. In Germany, Chaadaev met the philosopher F. Schelling, with representatives of various religious movements, including adherents of Catholic socialism. At this time, he was experiencing a spiritual crisis, which he tried to resolve by assimilating the ideas of Western theologians, philosophers, scientists and writers, as well as getting acquainted with the social and cultural structure of England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy.

In 1826 Chaadaev returned to Russia and, settling in Moscow, lived for several years as a hermit, comprehending what he saw and experienced during the years of wandering. He began to lead an active social life, appearing in secular salons and speaking out on topical issues of history and modernity. The enlightened mind, artistic feeling and noble heart of Chaadaev, noted by his contemporaries, earned him indisputable authority. P. Vyazemsky called him "a teacher from the mobile department."

One of the ways to disseminate his ideas Chaadaev made private letters: some of them went from hand to hand, read and discussed as publicistic works. In 1836 he published his first Philosophical writing, work on which (the original was written in French in the form of E. Panova's answer) began in 1828. This was Chaadaev's only lifetime publication. In total, eight were written to them Philosophical letters(last in 1831). Chaadaev expounded his historiosophical views in them. A feature of the historical fate of Russia, he considered “a dull and gloomy existence, devoid of strength and energy, which nothing revived, except atrocities, nothing softened, except slavery. No captivating memories, no graceful images in the memory of the people, no powerful teachings in its tradition ... We live in one present, in its closest limits, without a past and a future, amid dead stagnation. "

Publication of the first Philosophical writing became critical stage in the formation of Russian historical consciousness. According to A. Grigoriev, it "was the kind of glove that at once separated two hitherto, if not united, then not separated camps of thinking and writing people" - Westernizers and Slavophiles. The public outcry was huge Philosophical writing discussed by all thinking members of society. Students of Moscow University came to the chairman of the censorship committee, Count Stroganov, and announced that they were ready to stand up with weapons in their hands for Russia, offended by Chaadaev. Gendarme general Perfiliev reported to his chief Benckendorff about the general indignation caused by Chaadaev's article. The Minister of Public Education Uvarov presented a report to Nicholas I, on which the tsar imposed a resolution declaring the article "insolent nonsense, worthy of the insane." After that, the Teleskop magazine was closed, and Chaadaev was officially declared insane and doomed to a hermit in his home on Basmannaya Street, where he was visited by a doctor who monthly reported to the tsar about his condition.

In such an atmosphere, Chaadaev wrote an article Apology crazy(1836-1837), conceived as a kind of justification before the government and society, as an explanation of the peculiarities of his patriotism, his views on the high destiny of Russia. Chaadaev wrote: “I have not learned to love my homeland with closed eyes, with bowed head, with closed lips. I find that a person can be useful to his country only if he sees it clearly; I think that the time of blind falling in love has passed, that now we primarily owe the homeland for the truth ... I have a deep conviction that we are called upon to solve most of the problems of the social order, to complete most of the ideas that have arisen in old societies, to answer the most important questions that occupy humanity. " Chaadaev believed that Russia was called to be a "conscientious court" of the human spirit and society.

Coming from the family of the author of the 7-volume "History of Russia from Ancient Times" Mikhail Shcherbatov, Pyotr Yakovlevich Chaadaev was born for a brilliant career in the state. Before the war of 1812, he attended lectures at Moscow University for 4 years, where he managed to become friends with several representatives of secret societies that were gaining strength, future participants in the Decembrist movement - Nikolai Turgenev and Ivan Yakushkin. Chaadaev actively participated in hostilities against Napoleon, fought at Borodino, at Tarutino and Maloyaroslavets (for which he was awarded the Order of St. Anna), took part in the capture of Paris. After the war, this "brave fired officer, tested in three gigantic campaigns, impeccably noble, honest and amiable in private relations" (as a contemporary described him) met 17-year-old Alexander Pushkin, on whose views he had a significant influence. In 1817, he entered military service in the Semenovsky regiment, and a year later he retired. The reason for this hasty decision was the harsh suppression of the uprising of the 1st battalion of the Life Guards, the participants of which Chaadaev was very sympathetic to. The sudden decision of a promising young 23-year-old officer caused a considerable scandal in high society: his act was explained either by being late to the emperor with a report on the riot that had happened, or by the content of a conversation with the tsar, which provoked an angry rebuke from Chaadaev. However, the biographer of the philosopher M. O. Gershenzon, referring to reliable written sources, gives the following explanation in the first person: “I found it more amusing to neglect this grace than to seek it. I was pleased to show disdain for people who neglect everyone ... I am even more pleased in this case to see the malice of an arrogant fool. "

Chaadaev did not hide his sympathy for Catholicism

Be that as it may, Chaadaev leaves the service in the status of one of the most famous characters of the era, an enviable groom and the main secular dandy. One of the philosopher's contemporaries recalled that “in his presence it was somehow impossible, it was embarrassing to surrender to daily vulgarity. When he appeared, everyone somehow involuntarily morally and mentally looked around, tidied up and looked after. " The most authoritative historian of Russian culture Yu. M. Lotman, characterizing the peculiarities of Chaadaev's public smartness, remarked: "The area of ​​extravagance of his clothes was in a daring lack of extravagance." Moreover, unlike another famous English dandy - Lord Byron, the Russian philosopher preferred appearance restrained minimalism and even purism. Such deliberate disregard fashion trends very favorably distinguished him from other contemporaries, in particular, the Slavophiles, who associate their costume with ideological attitudes (demonstrative wearing of a beard, the recommendation to wear sundresses for ladies). However, the general attitude towards the title of a kind of "trendsetter", an example of a public image, made Chaadaev's image related to his foreign colleagues-dandies.

Pyotr Yakovlevich Chaadaev in his youth. Image: culture.ru

In 1823, Chaadaev went abroad for treatment, and even before leaving, he made a dedication to his property to two brothers, clearly intending not to return to his homeland. For the next two years, he will spend in London, then in Paris, then in Rome or Milan. Probably, it was during this trip to Europe that Chaadaev got acquainted with the works of French and German philosophers. As the historian of Russian literature M. Velizhev writes, "the formation of Chaadaev's" anti-Russian "views in the mid-1820s took place in a political context associated with the transformation of the structure and content of the Holy Union of European Monarchs." As a result of the Napoleonic wars, Russia undoubtedly thought of itself as a European hegemon - "the Russian tsar, the head of tsars" according to Pushkin. However, the geopolitical situation in Europe almost a decade after the end of the war was more likely to cause disappointment, and Alexander I himself had already moved away from previous constitutional ideas and, in general, had cooled somewhat towards the possibility of spiritual unity with the Prussian and Austrian monarchs. Probably, the joint prayer of the victorious emperors during the work of the Aachen Congress in 1818 was finally consigned to oblivion.

Upon his return to Russia in 1826, Chaadaev was immediately arrested on charges of belonging to the secret societies of the Decembrists. These suspicions are aggravated by the fact that in 1814 Chaadaev became a member of the Masonic lodge in Krakow, and in 1819 he was admitted to one of the first Decembrist organizations - the Union of Welfare. By an imperious decree, three years later, all secret organizations - both Freemasons and Decembrists, without examining their ideology and goals - were banned. The story with Chaadaev ended happily: having signed a document stating that he had no relationship to free-thinkers, the philosopher was released. Chaadaev settled in Moscow, in the house of E. G. Levasheva on Novaya Basmannaya and began work on his main work - "Philosophical Letters". This work instantly returned to Chaadaev the glory of the main oppositionist of the era, although in one of his letters to A. I. Turgenev the philosopher himself complains: “What have I done, what have I said so that I can be counted among the opposition? I don't say or do anything else, I just repeat that everything strives for one goal and that this goal is the kingdom of God. "

Portrait of P. Ya. Chaadaev. Artist I. E. Vivien, 1820s. Image: pinterest.com

This work, even before publication, was actively listed among the most progressive part of society, but the appearance of "Philosophical Letters" in the magazine "Telescope" in 1836 caused a serious scandal. Both the editor of the publication and the censor paid for the publication of Chaadaev's essay, and the author himself was declared insane by order of the government. Interestingly, many legends and controversies have arisen around this first known case of the use of punitive psychiatry in Russian history: the doctor who was supposed to conduct regular official examination of the "patient" told Chaadaev at the first meeting: "If it were not for my family, my wife, and six children, I would show them who is really crazy. "

Herzen: "Philosophical Letters" - a shot that rang out on a dark night

In his most important work, Chaadaev substantially rethought the ideology of the Decembrists, which he, being a “Decembrist without December,” in many respects shared. After a careful study of the main intellectual ideas of the era (in addition to the French religious philosophy of de Maistre, also the work of Schelling on natural philosophy), the conviction arose that the future prosperity of Russia is possible on the basis of world enlightenment, the spiritual and ethical transformation of mankind in search of divine unity. In fact, it was this work of Chaadaev that became the impetus for the development of the national Russian philosophical school. His supporters a little later will call themselves Westernizers, and opponents - Slavophiles. Those first "damned questions" that were formulated in the "Philosophical Letters" interested domestic thinkers in the future: how to implement a global universal utopia and the search for their own national identity, a special Russian way, directly related to this problem. It is curious that Chaadaev himself called himself a religious philosopher, although further reflection of his legacy was formed into a unique Russian historiosophy. Chaadaev believed in the existence of a metaphysical absolute Demiurge, who manifests himself in his own creation through the games of chance and by the will of fate. Without denying the Christian faith as a whole, he believes that the main goal of mankind is "the establishment of the kingdom of God on Earth", and it is in the work of Chaadaev that such a metaphor of a just society, a society of prosperity and equality first appears.

Maria Molchanova (RSUH)

Bibliography:
1. Velizhev M. Language and context in Russian intellectual history: Chaadaev's first "philosophical letter". New Literary Review, No. 135.
2. Gershenzon M.O. Griboyedovskaya Moscow. Chaadaev. Sketches of the past. M .: Publishing house of Moscow State University, 1989.
3. Lotman Yu. M. Russian dandyism // In the book. Conversations about Russian culture. SPb .: Art, 1994.
4. Tarasov B. N. Chaadaev. Moscow: Young Guard, 1990.

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Born into a family of noblemen Chaadaev, youngest child... He was left an orphan early - his father died a year after his birth, his mother three years later. The elder brother of Mikhail and Peter was taken by his aunt, Princess Anna Mikhailovna Shcherbatova, who lived in Moscow in Serebryany Pereulok. The uncle, Prince D.M. Shcherbatov, in whose house young Peter received his primary education.

In 1807 - 1811 Pyotr Chaadaev studied at Moscow University. He closely communicated and was friends with A.S. Griboyedov, I. D. Yakushkin, N.I. Turgenev.

In May 1812, the Chaadaev brothers became life ensigns in the Semenovsky regiment.

In 1813, Pyotr Chaadaev transferred to the Akhtyrsky hussar regiment. During the Patriotic War of 1812 he participated in the Battle of Borodino, took Paris, was awarded the Order of St. Anna and the Prussian Iron Cross.

In 1816 he was transferred as a cornet to the Gusar Life Guards Regiment, stationed in Tsarskoe Selo.

In 1817, he became an adjutant of the commander of the Guards Corps, Adjutant General Vasilchikov at the age of 23.

In 1819, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin met Pyotr Chaadaev in the house of N.M. Karamzin and compared it with him Eugene Onegin as a real dandy - "Second Chadayev, my Eugene ...". His contemporary Nikolai Turgenev wrote about him: “Chaadaev was distinguished from other people by his extraordinary moral and spiritual excitement ... His conversation and even his mere presence had an effect on others, like a spur on a noble horse. With him somehow it was impossible, it was awkward to surrender to daily vulgarity. When he appeared, everyone somehow involuntarily morally and mentally looked around, tidied up and looked after. "

In 1820, Pyotr Chaadaev submitted a letter of resignation and was dismissed from service in 1821, at the same time he joined the Northern Society of Decembrists. His resignation gave rise to versions and legends in society that he was too busy with his wardrobe or was late to report to the emperor. He did not take part in the activities of the Decembrists, treating their activities with restrained skepticism.

On July 6, 1823, due to his deteriorating health, Pyotr Chaadaev went on a trip to Europe and visited England, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. Before leaving, he divided the property with his brother, not intending to return to Russia.

Returning to Russia in 1826, he was arrested in Brest-Litovsk on suspicion of participating in the activities of the Decembrists and released after 40 days. Later, Peter Chaadaev spoke negatively about the uprising of the Decembrists, claiming that their attempted coup pushed Russia back half a century. He settled in Moscow, visiting, and in the village of his aunt, Princess A.M. Shcherbatova in Dmitrovsky district. It was during this period that he wrote "Philosophical Letters" - "Letters on the Philosophy of History", addressed to Mrs. E. D. Panova, which in 1830 began to spread in manuscripts in an educated society. A total of eight "Philosophical Letters" were written, the last in 1831.

In 1831, Pyotr Chaadaev began to visit society again.

In 1836, the first "Philosophical Letter" was published in the Teleskop magazine, which caused a great scandal and the anger of Emperor Nicholas I. The magazine was closed, the publisher P.I. Nadezhdin was exiled to Ust-Sysolsk, censor A.V. Boldyrev was dismissed from service. Pyotr Chaadaev was summoned to the Moscow Chief Police Officer L.M. Tsynsky, who announced to him the official version of the government that he was considered insane, is under house arrest, must be examined by a doctor every day and go out for a walk once a day. There is a legend that at the first visit the doctor said to the supervised: "If it were not for my family, my wife and six children, I would have shown them who is really crazy."

Surveillance was lifted only on October 30, 1837 with a directive from Emperor Nicholas I "To release from medical supervision under the condition of not daring to write anything." Pyotr Chaadaev could go out for walks, but not pay visits - he was doomed to loneliness, remaining "crazy".

In 1837, Pyotr Chaadaev wrote an article "Apology of a Madman", which, according to some reviews, became his self-characterization and justification before the government.

On April 14 (26), 1856, Pyotr Chaadaev died of pneumonia in Moscow. Buried at the Donskoy cemetery in Moscow.