The Idea of Providence in the Philosophy of History by N. M. Karamzin

Abstract

In the article we analyze the role and place of the idea of Providence in the philosophical and historical concept of the great Russian historiographer, writer and thinker N. M. Karamzin (1766–1826). We show the connection between the idea of Providence and his concept of division into two types of laws: the laws of nature (laws of the real world) and the law of the moral world (law of freedom). It is noted that the idea of Providence differs in different Christian traditions and his idea of Providence correlates with the Russian Orthodox tradition. We make comparison of two similar concepts in the philosophy of history of N. M. Karamzin – “Providence” and “fate”, and we conclude that they do not coincide in meaning, and in some cases are even opposed to each other. Providence influences on peoples, countries, states, and their leaders, but fate does not have a higher meaning, it is a combination of accidents that a person resists.