Varvara Polovtsova The first Russian Spinozist philosopher. Date of Birth: 01.01.1877 Country: Russia

1. Varvara Nikolaevna Polovtsova
2. Early Collaborations and Publications
3. Graduate Studies in Germany
4. Philosophical Inclinations
5. Spinoza and the "Psycho-physical Parallelism" Debate
6. Translation of "Ethics" and the Unfinished "Special Study"
7. Conclusion

Varvara Nikolaevna Polovtsova

Varvara Nikolaevna Polovtsova, born in 1877, emerged as the first Russian philosopher of the Spinozian school. Originally named Simanovskaya, she found her academic calling through her marriage to Valerian Viktorovich Polovtsov, a biologist and educator.

Early Collaborations and Publications

Polovtsova's collaboration with her husband led to the Russian translation of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's "Analysis of the Conscious Activity of Man" in 1899. She also co-authored "Botanical Spring Walks in the Vicinity of St. Petersburg" with him. Her independent contributions began with the publication of "The Sexual Question in the Child's Life" in 1903, advocating for the inclusion of sexual education in school curricula.

Graduate Studies in Germany

In her mid-20s, Polovtsova pursued doctoral studies in natural sciences at the University of Heidelberg. She later shifted to the University of Bonn, where she received her doctorate in 1909 with a dissertation on "Investigations on Irritability Phenomena in Plants." Notably, she earned the highest possible grade, "eximium."

Philosophical Inclinations

Despite her focus on biochemistry during her graduate studies, Polovtsova's interest in philosophy emerged. In 1909, she published a lengthy commentary on Friedrich Nietzsche's autobiography, "Ecce Homo." She also translated and edited Benno Erdmann's "Scientific Hypotheses on Soul and Body" in 1910, acknowledging him as her "deeply respected teacher." However, she later critiqued Erdmann's interpretations of Spinoza's philosophy.

Spinoza and the "Psycho-physical Parallelism" Debate

Polovtsova's work on Spinoza centered on the critique of "psycho-physical parallelism," which interpreted Spinoza's ideas from a Kantian standpoint. She rejected this interpretation, emphasizing the autonomy of mind and body in Spinoza's philosophy. Her publications on this topic, including "On the Methodology of Studying Spinoza's Philosophy," established her as a leading interpreter of Spinoza in Russia.

Translation of "Ethics" and the Unfinished "Special Study"

In 1914, Polovtsova published her annotated Russian translation of Spinoza's "Ethics." The accompanying preface hinted at a forthcoming "special study" where she intended to provide a comprehensive analysis of Spinoza's teachings. Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War I prevented the publication of this manuscript, and its fate remains unknown.

Conclusion

Varvara Nikolaevna Polovtsova's contributions to Russian thought were significant, introducing Spinozian philosophy and challenging conventional interpretations. Her work marked the beginning of a philosophical tradition that emphasized the radicalism and modernity of Spinoza's ideas. Despite the circumstances that cut short her career, her writings continue to inspire scholars in the study of Spinoza and the history of philosophy.