Pre-Hippyism
If there were ever such a thing as a 19th century Russian hippy, I think that Dostoevsky would be the preemanant one. The man is all about peace, love, and God. Although, I would argue that an equally valid and, in my opinion, philosophically superior interpretation is that he does not argue for religion, but rather for the altruistic principles often associated with it that 19th century Russian nihilists loved to shun completely. His literature provides absolutely no evidence that doubt in the existance of God, and a distaste for the corruption of orthodox religion (which he, incidentally accepts--note "The Grand Inquisitor" and the preceeding chapter) necessarily implies the brand of nihilism that he vehemently argues against: the kind that sees nothing worse in killing another human than in loving another human.
Which translator are you reading? Their styles vary by quite a bit: the content is similar; the phrasing is not.
I'm confused. Try proof-reading this.
And do you actually have to approve every single comment you get? Cuz that would be really annoying.
Read doubt as a noun, not a verb. Stupid English.
Adam, you do realize that Dostoevsky was staunchly anti-progressive and published in a conservative journal? The liberal media hated him; but despite that, the people loved him.
Then again, he was mock-executed and jailed for revolutionary, anti-government activities.
Sounds like a libertarian to me.
I strongly disagree with the statement that he was "staunchly conservative", but he most certainly was not a liberal of the era. Of course, you have to realize that the "liberals" of the era were largely idealist, Marxist, nihilists. Although I'm no expert, I that we, the modern liberals and libertarians, would be considered bourgeois bumpkins in late 19th century urban Russia. While I don't entirely agree with all of his religious arguments, I do agree with his assertion that man is a moral creature before he is a rational creature. People will never find happiness in reason, and they will kill themselves and each other without morals. It's only human nature.
11:51! Adam, you really shouldn't be up this late.
I hope I can get away with splitting a three page essay into two "parts."