Vydunas v zapadnoevropejskom kulturnom kontekste: mezhdu nacionalnym i globalnym

ENThe book analyzes the biography, cultural activities, and philosophical attitude and dramaturgy features of Vydūnas. The first part of the book written by V. Bagdonavičius reveals that Vydūnas considered culture as a self-expression of human essence. Culture is considered to be the moment connecting Vydūnas' philosophy to both the Oriental and Western traditions (Renaissance humanism, rationalism of the new age, German classic philosophy, German romanticism), but it is noted that Vydūnas mainly leans on Hindu philosophy: its teaching of a man as a microcosm, its pantheistic vision of the universe structure. It is noted that the culture for Vydūnas was the objectification of human essence in space, and its true forms he considered to be the main forms of human spiritual activity - cognition (science), art and morality. It is shown that Vydūnas saw material culture or civilization as a by-product, which in itself has no positive significance to the evolution of the world. In Vydūnas opinion, the core of the culture is the moral and spiritual development of a man. Discussing Vydūnas' attitude towards society, social environment and humanity, it is stated that precisely the perfection of moral education must be fully revealed not only in personal development, but also with the help of family and social environment. In the second part of the book Aušra Martišiūtė analyzes the dramaturgy of Vydūnas.