Two concepts of the historical memory of Russia: P. Ya. Chaadaev and A. S. Pushkin

The subject of the study is the process of conceptualization of historical memory as a phenomenon of nation consciousness in Russia in the first third of the XIX century. The purpose of this article is to identify the specific features of two individual concepts of historical memory of Russia: P.Ya Chaadaev and A.S. Pushkin. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to analyze one of the main historical and philosophical texts of the second quarter of the XIX century – the first "Philosophical Letter" by P.Ya Chaadaev, in order to identify the elements of historical memory contained in this text as an alternative concept in relation to the model that underlay the historical policy of the Russian Empire of the XVIII century and the first quarter of the XIX century. An additional task is to identify the elements of the construction of historical memory proposed by A.S. Pushkin as the first reaction to Chaadaev's text. The basic method used in solving these problems is semantic analysis, which allows us to identify both the substantive side and the symbolic meaning of those semantic units that were used by Chaadaev and Pushkin when presenting their views on the history of Russia. As a conclusion, it should be pointed out that for Chaadaev, the historical process is the self-disclosure of the people, that is, first of all, the identification of their potencies and opportunities for self–realization, and then, in fact, the movement towards progress, towards gaining more and more freedom. The role of historical memory, in this understanding, is to select and consolidate such elements of historical construction (events, dates, places and heroes) that can become milestones in this development and symbols of the historical movement. The lack of historical memory in Russia, according to Chaadaev, leads to the need for a conscious historical path. For Pushkin, the historical process is a drama, also an action, but an action that does not aim to reveal the inner possibilities of a person or a people. Pushkin sees greatness in history: deeds, feelings, thoughts, sufferings and struggles. To select and consolidate in the consciousness of the people the forms of historical greatness is the task of historical memory in its individual concept.

Russian history, Historical policy, Symbolic policy, Historical memory, Chaadaev, Pushkin, Philosophical letters, Nineteenth century, Public thought of Russia, Historical consciousness