Lev Shestov was a Russian philosopher who is often associated with the existentialist movement. He was born in 1866 in Kiev and died in 1938 in Paris. Shestov’s existentialism was shaped by his experiences growing up in Russia and his encounters with existentialist thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Søren Kierkegaard. Shestov’s philosophy emphasized the importance of individual choice and the rejection of traditional philosophical and religious systems.
Shestov was critical of the dominant philosophical tradition in Russia at the time, which was heavily influenced by German idealism. He argued that this philosophical tradition was too focused on reason and logic and ignored the importance of individual experience and choice. Shestov believed that human beings are fundamentally irrational and that reason is limited in its ability to understand the world and the human condition.
Shestov rejected the idea that there are objective truths or values that are universally applicable. He believed that individuals must create their own values and meanings in life through their own experiences and choices. Shestov argued that individuals must embrace their own subjectivity and reject any attempts to impose objective standards or values on them.
Shestov was heavily influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy. He shared Nietzsche’s rejection of traditional morality and the idea of objective truth. Shestov believed that individuals must reject any external authority and create their own values and meanings in life. He argued that individuals must embrace their own will to power and reject any attempts to suppress or repress their desires.
Shestov also drew inspiration from the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Shestov shared Kierkegaard’s emphasis on the importance of individual choice and the rejection of traditional religious systems. Shestov believed that individuals must reject any attempts to impose a universal morality or religious system on them and instead embrace their own subjective experiences and beliefs.
One of Shestov’s most famous works is “All Things are Possible,” published in 1905. In this work, Shestov argues that human beings must reject any attempts to impose objective standards or values on them. He believes that individuals must embrace their own subjectivity and create their own values and meanings in life. Shestov argues that individuals must be willing to embrace uncertainty and ambiguity in order to create their own meanings and values.
Shestov also emphasized the importance of individual choice in his philosophy. He believed that individuals must embrace their own will to power and reject any attempts to suppress or repress their desires. Shestov argues that individuals must take responsibility for their own actions and choices, even if those choices lead to negative consequences.
Shestov’s philosophy was heavily influenced by his experiences growing up in Russia. He was born into a Jewish family and faced discrimination and persecution throughout his life. Shestov believed that individuals must reject any attempts to impose a universal morality or religious system on them and instead embrace their own subjective experiences and beliefs.
Shestov’s philosophy was also influenced by his encounters with the existentialist thinkers of his time. He rejected the dominant philosophical tradition in Russia and instead embraced the existentialist emphasis on individual choice and the rejection of traditional systems.
In conclusion, Lev Shestov’s existentialism emphasized the importance of individual choice and the rejection of traditional philosophical and religious systems. He believed that individuals must create their own values and meanings in life through their own experiences and choices. Shestov rejected the idea of objective truth and believed that individuals must embrace their own subjectivity in order to create their own meanings and values. Shestov’s philosophy was heavily influenced by his experiences growing up in Russia and his encounters with the existentialist thinkers of his time.