Categories of Being and Non-Being in Book of Poems “The Twilight” by Ye. A. Boratynsky

Abstract

The question of how Ye. A. Boratynsky interpreted the categories of being and non-being in a book of poems “The Twilight” (1842) is covered. It is noted that “The Twilight” became the final book of the poet, it reflected his philosophical quest in the 30-ies of the 19th century. On the other hand, that is stressed by the author of this article, the publication of “The Twilight” marked the end of the whole era - the romantic era with its art and philosophy. It is alleged that Ye. A. Boratynsky reflects on the being as the existence of a subject, on the being as “vale of tears,” and also the super-being. Through the analysis of the motives of emergence, creation and disappearance that can be traced in the works by Ye. A. Boratynsky, the poet’s views on the non-being and “the otherness being” are revealed. It is argued that ontological problems in “The Twilight” are closely related to epistemological issues. It is shown that, according to the creative conception of Ye. A. Boratynsky, not sensual or rational way of knowing leads to the true knowledge, but “meta-logic” one, that is, the mysteries of super-being open through the “meta-logic.” The author concludes that individual strivings of the poet respond to common trends in the development of the history of Russian thought.