Classic of thought: one of the most titled philosophers of Russia Abdusalam Huseynov will celebrate his 85th birthday

The author of more than 500 scientific works published in many languages ​​of the world, laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and the most prestigious UNESCO awards, honorary doctor and coveted professor of the most famous universities on the planet, Huseynov considers the highest award to be the recognition of colleagues at the unique Institute of Philosophy, which has no equal in the world Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Institute itself is its life’s work.

Unfortunately, the tragic 90s brought humiliating sycophancy to the West into our public life. And many young, talented people entering science rushed to write candidate and doctoral dissertations on the works of third-rate Western philosophers. As if not noticing that Russian philosophy entered the 90s with dozens of names marked with the stamp of genius: it is enough to name such names that have long become fundamental categories of Russian humanitarian thought, such as Dmitry Likhachev and Alexander Zinoviev, a number of remarkable philosophers: Ivan Frolov and Mirab Mamardashvili, Vyacheslav Stepin and Abdusalam Huseynov, Vadim Mezhuev and Eduard Markaryan, Vladislav Lektorsky and Moses Kagan…

This series can also begin with other people, just as in Russian literature, music, painting, etc. Preferences are largely a matter of taste. But in any case, it’s impossible to do without Huseynov. The only strange and detrimental thing is that modern Russian philosophy is practically not taught in Russian universities today. And any educated citizen needs to know it; they can and should be proud of it.

Then, I have no doubt, in difficult times for the Motherland, tens of thousands of Moscow and St. Petersburg IT specialists will not flee abroad, succumbing to the herd and shameful instinct of fear.

And you also need to understand that Russian philosophy is the work not only of ethnic Russians, but of all representatives of our multinational people who develop the great culture of the Fatherland, scientists who share the values ​​​​that have been hard-earned during the course of our thousand-year history.

Academician Huseynov is a great Russian philosopher. His life path is typical of many of our outstanding compatriots and is more than interesting.

Salam Kerimovich (as the academician’s friends and colleagues have called him since his student days) was born in 1939 in the Lezgin village of Alkadar in Dagestan. There were 80 households in my native village. There was no road to it, there was no electricity, radio and other benefits of civilization. An outsider was a rarity.

From there, Huseynov followed the path paved by the Soviet school, after which he went to Moscow, without having a single acquaintance there. He entered the Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow State University, graduated from it, and along the way received the medal “For the development of virgin lands.” He remained in graduate school, taught at Moscow State University, and defended his candidate and doctoral dissertations. As part of domestic delegations, he participated in the World Philosophical Congresses, was invited as a professor at the Humboldt University of Berlin, and then at Charles University in Prague.

In 1987 he came to the Institute of Philosophy of the USSR Academy of Sciences as head of the sector. But MSU hasn’t changed either. From 2006 to 2015, he worked as director of the institute, taking over the reins from the great academician Stepin.

Not everyone knows what it means in science to become the director of this Institute. Let me explain. Scientists worked there whose names evoked awe in every graduate student passionate about their work: Motroshilova, Ogurtsov, Gaidenko, Podoroga, Bibikhin, etc. And some luminaries still work there: Lektorsky, Solovyov, Neretina, Dubrovsky and others.

To lead individuals of this level, you need to be accepted by them. You yourself need to be the author of scientific works of paramount importance, and also understand all the directions and complexities of philosophy in order to at least understand their depth. Which is a bit difficult for a mere mortal.

And also (is it a trifle?) you need to have not only organizational talent, administrative abilities, but also mutual understanding with people, each of whom feels not just an extraordinary thinker, but the whole Universe. Without this, it is simply impossible to do anything significant in philosophy. Agree, being a director in a team where each employee is initially, according to the staffing schedule, the Universe, is a special burden. And for a true scientist, combining his own philosophical works with bureaucracy is more of a sacrifice than a career triumph.

However, in 2022, Salam Kerimovich (at 83 years old!) headed the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences again, by decision of the management, supported by the team.

And the institute entered a difficult time. In the 90s, academic science was put on a starvation diet. Then trouble came from an unexpected source: from the reforms of Russian higher education. The transfer of universities to the “bachelor – master” system and the accompanying manipulations with curricula have led to a catastrophic reduction in the amount of hours allocated to the study of humanities subjects at universities. Accordingly, the number of university professors that feed the elite of the Russian Academy of Sciences has decreased many times over.

And their leaders were getting old.

PR people from near-government structures, grant eaters, of which there have been quite a few of them recently, and even pushy supply managers suddenly began to apply for the director’s chair. Well-connected applicants for prestigious positions have become incredibly active. If any of them had achieved success, the real philosophers would have immediately left the institute. Huseynov had to use his authority to keep the venerable community in systemic integrity.

It is well known that Salam Kerimovich never promoted himself to boss, never pushed anyone aside, and did not enjoy patronage. “One famous Chechen woman said: “Being a Chechen in Moscow is a big responsibility.” I understand her. It has always been this way: if you do something bad, then it falls on your entire small people, on your family,” notes the academician. And the family tradition for him is a very important guideline in life.

The academician’s great-great-grandfather Magomed Yaragsky is known as Shamil’s spiritual mentor. A worthy student, having arrived in St. Petersburg, was conquered by the great culture and swore allegiance to Russia. The academician’s great-uncle, the outstanding Dagestan educator Hasan Alkadari, was an ardent supporter of the new civilizational opportunities that opened up for Dagestan as a result of joining the Russian Empire. His name and image inspired Abdusalam Huseynov, as well as other representatives of this family.

Ethics, to which A.A. Guseinov devoted his life, is not only the subject of his scientific research, but also a practical guide to life, when moral principles determine actions even in the most difficult situations.

An example of this is Guseinov’s active participation in the difficult fate of his colleague A.A. Zinoviev. The specificity of Zinoviev’s literary talent was such that his works were, and are still perceived in the professional community, ambiguously. And if the name of Zinoviev now sounds widely and worthy in Russian humanitarian culture, then in many respects we must thank Academician Guseinov for this, who researched and popularized his work, eventually releasing the brilliant book “My Zinoviev.”

People who know Salam Kerimovich paint his portrait with bright colors. They write about the power of the intellect, an innovative approach to established problems. They note a special immersion in their inner world and at the same time simplicity and naturalness in communicating with other people. Colleagues point to A.A. Guseinov’s inherent dignity, noble restraint and calmness, behind which lies dynamism and tirelessness. It is known that A.A. Guseinov in scientific discussions “instantly grasps the logic of the question”, “quickly and comprehensively enters the space of thought of the interlocutor.”

His concept of a moral person includes dissatisfaction with oneself. The hero of the day is eloquently characterized by the confession: “Due to some peculiarities, I like to listen more than to talk” and the joke: “Philosophy and I have unrequited love: I love her very much, but she simply pities me.”

In 2008, A.A. Guseinov was elected honorary doctor of St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise. Honorary Doctors are the role models we offer to students. According to Huseynov, the philosopher is driven by a thirst for truth, which transforms his own life. Philosophy for him combines “both the pathos of truth and the pathos of moral perfection.” Thus, the unique originality of philosophy, the uniqueness of its place in culture lies in the fact that it connects correct thought with a worthy life. Here thought is connected with action. That’s what ethics is. And it is important for students to see such people.

Today, when Russia is forced to respond to new hostile challenges from the West, when the best representatives of youth again risk their lives in the name of the Motherland on the battlefields, the best veterans of science support the country with their works, strengthening the foundation of morality and spirituality. Both of them are bringing the era of mercy closer. Among them is Academician Guseinov.

Let us wish Salam Kerimovich health and new creative achievements.