From Kant to Frank: The Ethic of Duty and the Problem of Resistance to Evil in Russian Thought

One of the key ethical debates in Russian religious thought, initiated by Leo Tolstoy, concerned question nonresistance to evil force. The purpose this article is assess influence Kant’s ethics and philosophy religion on course debate determine place significance arguments considerations expressed issue Semyon Frank early late periods (1908 1940s) his work. To end I reconstruct general debate, notably positions Vladimir Solovyov, Ivan Ilyin Nikolai Berdyaev. Beginning with Russ­ian thinkers introduced original content idea derived from Gospel into duty borrowed Kant. Tolstoy version was challenged mainly two directions: Kantian grounding legitimacy coercion attempts bring styles moral thinking other than ethic duty. Ilyin’s apolo­gia for use force struggle against prompted émigré take a closer look at Tolstoy’s concept pay attention its positive content. On basis Berdyaev especially create their Christ-centered salvation which, perspective “protecting world evil” includes links it possibility using force, always wrongful act, but one justified “in situation extreme need”.