The origins and features of N.A. Berdyaev's concept of “Christian socialism”

The article examines the concept of “Christian socialism” by N.A. Berdyaev (1874–1948). An overview of the terminological formulations of Berdyaev's socio-political views found in scientific research is given. The hypothesis is put forward that Berdyaev developed the concept of “Christian socialism” after the 1917 revolution to counter Marxist atheistic socialism. To analyze Berdyaev's concept of “Christian socialism”, the methodology of I. Lakatos' research programs is used. The possibility of explication of the concept of “Christian socialism” by Berdyaev in terms of the Lakatos methodology is substantiated due to partial metaphorical structuring, according to the theory of conceptual metaphor by G. Lakoff and M. Johnson used in the study. The article examines the formation of the “Christian socialism” movement in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. The socio-political program of “Christian socialism” by S.N. Bulgakov, prepared during the revolution of 1905–1907, is presented. It is argued that Bulgakov's ideas of “Christian socialism” influenced Berdyaev. It is proved that Berdyaev, in the context of the political rise of Marxist atheistic socialism after the 1917 revolution, formulated the concept of “Christian socialism”, critically revising the Bulgakov's version of “Christian socialism”. It is argued that the metaphysical core (“hard core”) of Berdyaev's concept of “Christian socialism” was the personalistic doctrine, and its “protective belt” consisted of the ideas of corporatism, syndicalism, and social democracy. Berdyaev's concept of “Christian socialism” should be considered a “research program”, improved for the world order that emerged after 1917. It is noted that in the modern socio-political discourse of Russia, Berdyaev's ideas may have practical significance related to the promotion of social democracy as a political system that supports traditional Russian values.