In the shadow of himself: Oswald Spengler and the humanitarian thought of the XX century

2018 has special significance, marking the 100th anniversary since publication of the first volume of “The Decline of the West” by the German philosopher of history, cultural studies and political journalist Oswald Spengler. As time has shown, the ideas of this deliberately not academically written work, have become firmly established in the humanitarian thought of the XX century. The paradox of the perception of Spengler's intellectual heritage is that despite the fact that it was rejected by academic science, cultural, historical and political ideas of the thinker in one way or another were spread and further developed in the context of the evolution of humanitarian and sociopolitical thought past century. The purpose of the article is to consider the stages of reflection and perception of the Spengler's main philosophical-historical and political ideas in the Western and Russian humanitarian thought. Sources of research were the works of native and foreign humanitarians. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of works devoted to the study of Spengler's intellectual heritage. The discussion around the Spengler's ideas, mainly related to the cultural-historical concept of “The Decline of the West”, began from the moment of its release. Only a few exceptions, the academic thought had rejected the idea of this book. However, even at that stage of perception and criticism of Spengler's ideas, it was obvious that he in the mythologized and polemical form had touched upon many urgent problems of our time. Return to the Spengler's works began after the World War II. Only then two trends of interpretation of his intellectual heritage emerged clearly. The first trend was characterized by the gradual adaptation of his ideas in the academic environment. The beginning of this process was laid by the German philosopher K. Jaspers. The second trend was associated with the perception of the Spengler's political ideas by “new right” movement. Ultimately, these trends have merged and gave rise to a certain extent “Spengler's Renaissance”. Among the leading researchers of Spengler should be named: A. Mohler, A.M. Koktanek, E. Felken, J. Merle, J. Herf, and from Russian philosophers of “Silver Age”, G.M. Tavrizyan, S.V. Artamoshina, V.V. Afanaseva. The perception of Spengler's intellectual heritage in the humanitarian thought of the XX century passed a long and difficult path. Elected by Spengler spiritual and intellectual path of single thinker, in humanitarian thought was transformed into an image of a thinker-mystifier and amateur intellectual who had no idea about history, culture and politics. However, the “spenglerian” evolution shows, that Spengler was able to become one of the leading representatives of German and Western humanitarian thought.

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