Abstract

Lev Shestov was one of the prominent philosophers of the XX. century. Shestov due to his adogmatic views on religion, science, and reason has foreshadowed the rise of the postmodernist philosophy. In this regard, the fine distinction drawn by Shestov between rationality and irrationality is important. Shestov has put an effort to find new meanings in religion and philosophy of religion in the context of the conflict of rationality and irrationality. According to Lev Shestov, the human freedom can be examined through the conflict of rationality and irrationality. Shestov has considered the Bible and Christianity as the source of human freedom. According to Shestov, individual liberation from earthly, strings of rational thinking and Ananke lies through obtaining faith. Through experiencing pain and despair, an individual comes closer to freedom and faith. Shestov named severe existential pain and desperation as the state of “groundlessness”. The state of “groundlessness” is what pushes one to the “leap of faith”. Ananke and rational thinking strive to pull away a person from the state of “groundlessness” and from the “leap of faith”. In the philosophy of Lev Shestov, Athens symbolizes rational thinking. Jerusalem symbolizes religious devotion, irrationalism and faith. According to the philosopher, Athens and Jerusalem are in a constant tension.