Academician Pavlov: "The characterization of the Russian mind is grim. And what Russia is experiencing is very gloomy"
The main conclusion that Pavlov shared with his compatriots for the first time at the age of 69 is the following: the Russian man is not ruled by reality, he lives in fantasies and his own ideas, independent of the facts. And it is in this way of thinking that both Russia itself and its neighbors on the planet are threatened.
In the light of popular in Russia arguments about the "Russian world", "special mission" and "genetic code" of the Russian people, I think it is relevant to recall the cycle of three lectures of one of the greatest Russian scientists, Academician Pavlov "On the mind in general, on the Russian mind in particular", which he delivered in April-May 1918. It is unlikely that even the most egregious "patriots" would think of calling Ivan Petrovich Pavlov a Russophobe or even a liberal, and therefore these amazingly interesting lectures can be safely recommended for reading to anyone and everyone - to better understand why "you can not understand Russia with your mind, you can not measure it with a common arshin."
"As soon as someone speaks differently than you think, you immediately assume some dirty motives, bribery, etc. What kind of freedom is that?"
Having read the lectures in their entirety, I would like to make a disclaimer: there is not a hint of humiliation or insult to Russia, Russians or Russians in them. There is no emphasizing the advantages of any other nations. There is a calm professional analysis of a scientist who has devoted his life to the study of the thinking activity of homo sapiens, or, as wikipedia puts it, "psychophysiology of temperament types and properties of nervous systems underlying behavioral individual differences."
"Russian man does not get to the root of the matter."
The main conclusion, which Pavlov first shared with his compatriots in his 69 years, boils down to the following: the Russian man is not ordered by reality, he lives fantasies and his own ideas, independent of the facts. And it is in this way of thinking - a threat to Russia itself and its neighbors on the planet.
"... The Russian mind is not attached to facts. It is more fond of words and operates with them. ... Russian thought does not apply criticism of method at all, that is, does not at all check the meaning of words, does not go behind the scenes of the word, does not like to look at the true reality "
"Take our Slavophiles. What at that time Russia did for culture? What samples she showed the world? And people believed that Russia would wipe the eyes of the rotten West. Where did this pride and confidence come from? And you think that life has changed our views? Not at all! Do not we now read almost every day that we are the vanguard of humanity! And doesn't that show to what extent we are ignorant of reality, to what extent we live fantastically!"
In 1918, that is, a year after the Bolshevik Revolution, Ivan Petrovich believed that there was once a difference between the way of thinking of the educated elite and the people, whom he called "ignorant peasant Russia" without any contempt, but rather with sympathy. "The educated elite," according to Pavlov, also did not seek the truth and lived fantasies, but unlike the people, it did not seek to blame all their troubles on their enemies. The people's mind, on the other hand, is always looking for someone to blame, which is why the Bolshevik idea of class hatred was so popular with them:
"A sailor, the brother of my servant, saw all evil in the bourgeois, as it is supposed to be seen in the bourgeois, and the bourgeois meant everyone except sailors and soldiers. When it was pointed out to him that if you could do without the bourgeois, for instance, if cholera appeared, what would you do without doctors? He solemnly replied that all this was nothing, for it had long been known that cholera was brought on by the doctors themselves..... Is it worth speaking of such a mind, and can any responsibility be laid upon it?"
Tons of books have been written about what has happened since Pavlov's lectures to the "educated elite" and what has happened to the people, but today one thing can be confidently stated: in the search for enemies, the elite and the people have merged in an ecstasy unseen since Stalin's times.
*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***
This analytical report explores the insights of Academician Pavlov regarding the Russian mind, highlighting its characteristics and implications. Drawing from Pavlov's lectures in 1918, the report examines the tendency of the Russian psyche towards fantasy and detachment from reality, offering a critical perspective on prevalent narratives such as the "Russian world" and the "genetic code" of the Russian people. Through Pavlov's analysis, the report aims to deepen understanding of the cultural and psychological factors shaping Russian identity and behavior.
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This report provides valuable insights into the Russian mind, drawing from the seminal work of Academician Pavlov. By analyzing the tendencies of the Russian psyche towards fantasy and detachment from reality, the report sheds light on the cultural and psychological factors influencing Russian identity and behavior. It encourages readers to critically examine prevalent narratives and offers a nuanced understanding of Russian culture and history.
The analysis of Academician Pavlov's lectures offers valuable insights into the Russian psyche, emphasizing its propensity towards fantasy and detachment from reality. By critically examining prevalent narratives and cultural attitudes, this report provides a nuanced understanding of Russian identity and behavior. It encourages further research and dialogue on the complexities of the Russian mind and its implications for society.
This should cover the requirements. Let me know if there's anything else needed.
"We have always repeated the word 'freedom' in rapture, and when it comes to reality, we get a complete tretting of freedom..... We have a proverb: 'What is great for the Russian is death for the German,' a proverb that almost boasts of its savagery. But I think it would be much fairer to say the opposite: "What is great to a German is death to a Russian."
If someone, to whom you recommend texts about Pavlov's Russian mind, still calls the great scientist "an assassin Cossack" or "a secret agent of the world backstage", show him these words, with which Pavlov ended his lectures:
"The characterization of the Russian mind that I have drawn is gloomy, and I am aware of it, bitterly aware. You will say that I have thickened the colors, that I am pessimistic. I won't dispute that. The picture is bleak, but what Russia is going through is also extremely bleak. And I said from the beginning that we cannot say that everything happened without our participation. You'll ask me why I'm giving this lecture, what's the point of it. Do I enjoy the misfortune of the Russian people? No, there is a vital calculation here. First, it is the duty of our dignity to realize what is..... Hence, though we may have defects, they can be changed. This is a scientific fact. And then, too, over our people, my characterization will not be an absolute verdict. We may also have some hopes, some chances."
