Philosophy of Economy
Sergei Bulgakov's Philosophy of Economy emerged from his transformation from Marxist economist to Orthodox theologian in early twentieth-century Russia. Written during his academic career at Moscow University, this treatise represents Bulgakov's attempt to develop a distinctly Orthodox understanding of economic life that could address the spiritual crisis of modern industrial society. The work stands as one of the first systematic efforts to integrate Eastern Orthodox theology with economic theory.
Bulgakov argues that economic activity is fundamentally a spiritual reality rooted in humanity's divine calling to participate in God's creative work. He rejects both capitalist materialism and socialist collectivism, proposing instead that true economy must be grounded in the Orthodox understanding of sobornost—a communal unity that preserves individual personhood while transcending mere individualism. The treatise develops his concept of Sophia, divine wisdom, as the principle that should govern human economic relationships. Bulgakov contends that labor, production, and exchange are not merely material processes but expressions of humanity's priestly vocation to transform the world through conscious cooperation with divine activity. He envisions an economic order that serves spiritual development rather than treating persons as mere factors of production.
The work has influenced generations of Orthodox thinkers seeking alternatives to both Western capitalism and state socialism, contributing to the development of Orthodox social teaching. Its sophisticated integration of theological anthropology with economic analysis has attracted scholars interested in religious critiques of modernity and the possibilities for faith-based approaches to social organization.
Who should read this: Readers interested in Orthodox theology's engagement with social questions, those exploring religious alternatives to secular economic theories, and scholars of Russian religious thought. This is not an introductory work—it requires familiarity with both Orthodox theological concepts and basic economic theory.