«The blossoming complexity» and «Let a hundred flowers bloom»: is there a difference?

Abstract

Despite his wide posthumous fame, Leontiev remains one of the most unread Russian philosophers. His figurative terms that have entered into the cultural use are sometimes used far from the meaning that the author attributed to them, and require a special commentary. One of such terms is «blossoming complexity». The author of the article suggests reflecting on the question of how Leontiev’s approach to cultural identity differs from what is understood by this in the modern world. Leontiev’s world is structured hierarchically, has a strict form, while the modern culture is «amorphous». Leontiev introduces the principles of Christian asceticism into any issue he considers, whereas the modern culture is anti-ascetic. The range of issues that occupied the «lonely thinker» remains relevant and requires deep reflection.