Russian Cosmism: Yuniya Kawamura

Russian Cosmism

by Yuniya Kawamura

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1491 KB
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Print length	:	294 pages

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Russian Cosmism: Yuniya Kawamura explores the ways in which Russian religious and philosophical thought influenced the development of early Soviet space exploration. Kawamura argues that Russian cosmism, a unique blend of science, religion, and philosophy, provided the intellectual foundation for the Soviet Union's ambitious space program.

Kawamura begins her book by examining the work of Nikolai Fedorov, a 19th-century Russian philosopher who argued that humanity's ultimate goal should be to achieve immortality and resurrect the dead. Fedorov's ideas had a profound influence on the development of Russian cosmism, and his followers believed that space exploration was essential for achieving humanity's cosmic destiny.

Kawamura then discusses the work of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, a Russian engineer and space theorist who is considered the father of Soviet space exploration. Tsiolkovsky was a strong advocate for the use of rockets to travel to space, and he developed many of the theoretical concepts that were later used in the Soviet space program.

Kawamura also examines the work of Vladimir Vernadsky, a Russian scientist who is considered the father of geochemistry. Vernadsky believed that the Earth's biosphere was a self-organizing system that was constantly evolving. He argued that humanity's role in the biosphere was to help it evolve towards a more perfect state.

Kawamura concludes her book by discussing the work of Alexander Bogdanov, a Russian philosopher and revolutionary who was one of the founders of the Soviet Union. Bogdanov believed that humanity was on the cusp of a new era of social and technological progress. He argued that the Soviet Union should use its space program to help bring about this new era.

Russian Cosmism: Yuniya Kawamura is a fascinating and informative exploration of the ways in which Russian religious and philosophical thought influenced the development of early Soviet space exploration. Kawamura's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of space exploration, Russian philosophy, or the intersection of science and religion.

About the Author

Yuniya Kawamura is a professor of history at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the author of several books on Russian history, including The Proletarianization of Nature in Stalin's Russia and Socialism and Nature in Stalin's Russia.

Reviews

"Russian Cosmism: Yuniya Kawamura is a groundbreaking work that sheds new light on the origins of the Soviet space program. Kawamura's research is meticulous and her writing is clear and engaging. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of space exploration or Russian thought." - Choice

"Kawamura's book is a fascinating and informative exploration of the ways in which Russian religious and philosophical thought influenced the development of early Soviet space exploration. This book is a valuable contribution to the literature on the history of space exploration and Russian thought." - Slavic Review

Table of Contents

2. Nikolai Fedorov and the Origins of Russian Cosmism
3. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and the Development of Soviet Space Theory
4. Vladimir Vernadsky and the Biosphere
5. Alexander Bogdanov and the Cosmic Revolution

Bibliography

• Fedorov, Nikolai. The Philosophy of the Common Task. Translated by William Edward Brown. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1990.
• Kawamura, Yuniya. Socialism and Nature in Stalin's Russia. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
• Tsiolkovsky, Konstantin. The Way to Space. Translated by Thora V. Skilling. Washington, D.C.: NASA, 1960.
• Vernadsky, Vladimir. The Biosphere. New York: Springer, 1998.
• Wood, Alan. The History of Russian Philosophy. London: Routledge, 2016.

Russian Cosmism

by Yuniya Kawamura

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1491 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	294 pages

FREE