Abstract

The study addresses the dilemmas inherent in the concept of ,,free theocracy'' as put forward by Vladimir Solovyov. Solovyov's theocratic ideas with ,,God-man'' are confronted with Fyodor Dostoevsky's conceptions. The author of the study argues that although Solovyov's ideal was an ambitious attempt to preserve crucial premises of the Christian world, it achieved the aim at the price of grave illusions concerning human freedom and ways of fulfilling the ideal, and therefore it was charged with a totalitarian potential. The author concludes that Solovyov's vision of worldwide theocracy cannot be called a successful project; despite that, his ideas may be approached as a challenge in the context of both the contemporary Russia's search for identity and serious dilemmas for the unifying Europe.Key words SOLOVYOV, THEOCRACY