№2 (31) / 2026 Full issue

Release Date 25.05.2026

 HISTORY OF THOUGHT

 

 

 

Rozanova Nadezhda

Doctor of Science in Economics, Professor, professor of The Moscow School of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University, professor of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) 

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) (Moscow).

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3660-0625

 

ECOSYSTEM PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE AND HUMAN BEINGS IN THE WORKS OF SERGEI BULGAKOV

Размер файла135-145
Размер файла 154 KB
  License Creative Commons 4.0 
 JATS XML

Although the term “ecosystem” was introduced in Economics only at the end of the XX century, the concept of harmonic relations between human-beings and the nature had been attracted to many researchers long time before. One of the most important contributions in developing this concept was done by a Russian economist, philosopher and theologist Sergei Bulgakov. The article analyses the key aspects of Bulgakov’s theoretical works from their first elaboration and then deeper investigation of the viewpoint that deals with a new economic phenomenon, that is of ecosystem as a special type of economic structure and economic relationships between individuals and the nature. The concept of ecosystem allows decision-makers to correctly prioritize aims and goals in company and government activity, to increase the efficiency of managerial jobs and enhance the individual satisfaction from their everyday operations. The main elements of an ecosystem as they are elaborated in Bulgakov’s works are as follows: economy as a special transcendental reality behind the explicit economic processes; a unique area of the united humanity over supernatural human characteristics; creative aspects of a free labour. According to Bulgakov’s thought, the future harmony of individuals and the nature in our technocratic world would be possible on the basis of a deep spiritual understanding when practical economic activity should be undertaken with high spiritual goals under the supervision of the Wisdom of God (sophiology in terms of Bulgakov). In order to realise this ecosystem as a spiritual and even mystic framework, it is necessary to elaborate and develop a correct ecological world outlook that would dominate within the thinking of all the economic participants and to synchronize individual value perceptions at all levels of managerial hierarchy starting from a blue colour worker to top-managers and then to the highest government positions. Sustainable development of individuals and the nature would overcome technological, administrative, intertemporal, social and other constraints that have been set by both natural framework of production and social norms. Bulgakov believes that if we could understand the contradictory character of economic activity and economic progress, we would make a search for the most general spiritual source in economic organization of human activity. In Bulgakov’s view, such spiritual source would be presented in the Wisdom of God, Sofia, as he called it. And whatever we would call this spiritual life basis now, having this goal in mind would increase the responsibility of human-beings for their decisions and their consequences. And it is this process that would transform a separate individual into the true master of the world.

 

Keywords: epistemology of economics; ontology of economics; axiology of economics; philosophy of economics; management; managerial knowledge; economics and social values; sustainable economy

JEL: A13; B19; B30; B49; M14; O10

UDC: 330.87

DOI: 10.52342/2587-7666VTE_2026_2_135_145

 

© N. Rozanova, 2026

© Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences «Issues of Theoretical Economics», 2026

  

REFERENCES

  1. Alekhina E.V., Koposov L.F., Glinski A.V. (2018). Economics as a Moral Category in Russian Religious Philosophy // Bulletin of Moscow Region State University. Series: Philosophy. No. 3. Pp. 78-94. (In Russ.)

  2. Aleksandrov V.B. (2015). Russian Religious Philosophy about the Spiritual Bases of Economic Activity // Administrative Consulting. No. 5. Pp. 176-186. (In Russ.).

  3. Belyaev D.A., Mikulskaya A.A., Rayzanova M.A. (2018). Content and Teleology of Economic Culture in S.N. Bulgakov’s Philosophy // Manuscript. Vol. 92. No. 6. Pp. 66-69. (In Russ.).

  4. Bulgakov S.N. (1990). Philosophy of the Economy. – M.: Nauka. (In Russ.).

  5. Bulgakov S.N. (2008). Two Grads. Investigation on the Nature of the Social Ideals. – M.: Abyshko Printing House. (In Russ.).

complete reference list

close list

  1. Bulgakov S.N. (2018). At the Feast of the Gods. – M.: Ripol Klassik. (In Russ.).

  2. Bulgakov S.N. (2021). The Light of the Evening: Contemplation and Speculation. – St. Petersburg: Azbuka. (In Russ.).

  3. Davydov Yu.N. (2011). S. Bulgakov and M. Weber // Economics of Education. No. 3. Pp. 191-196. (In Russ.).

  4. Eloyan M.R. (2004). Bulgakov: Orthodoxy and Capitalism (Philosophy of the Economy). –  Rostov-on-Don: Rostov University Press. (In Russ.).

  5. Evtuhova C. (2021). The Cross and the Sicle. Sergei Bulgakov and the Fate of Russian Religious Philosophy (1890-1920). – Boston, St. Petersburg: Academic Studies Press, Bibliorossika (Russian translation). (In Russ.).

  6. Gelfond M.L., Mishchuk O.N., Miroshina E.Yu. (2018). Ethical and Philosophical Criticism of Economic Ideal (On the Material of S. N. Bulgakov’s Works) // Izvestiya Tula State University. Humanitarian Sciences. No. 1. Pp. 116-124. (In Russ.).

  7. Horie H. (2016a). The Ambivalence of «Primitive Matter» and Genesis of Human Freedom in Sergiy Bulgakov’s «Philosophy of Economy» // Bulletin of Moscow University. Series 07. Philosophy. No. 3. Pp. 3-21. (In Russ.).

  8. Horie H. (2016b). Socialism as the Ideal of Priest Sergiy Bulgakov in the First Decade of the 20th Century? // St. Tikhon’s University Review. Series I: Theology. Philosophy. Religious Studies. Vol. 64. No. 2. Pp. 57-72. (In Russ.).

  9. Ilin I.Yu. (2021). Towards Religious Metaphysics: Overcoming Nietzschean Nihilism in Sergei Bulgakov’s Philosophy // Voprosy Filosofii. No. 10. Pp. 130-137. (In Russ.).

  10. Khachatyryan M.V. (2018). Sophia the Wisdom of God as The Wholeness and Fullness of All Divine and Creaturely Eidoses // Solovyov Studies. Is. 3 (59). Pp. 128-142. (In Russ.).

  11. Korolev V.K. (2017). «Diatribe» Tradition at S.N. Bulgakov,s Philosophy of Economy»: Methodological Potential // Belgorod State University. Scientific Bulletin. Series: Philosophy. Sociology. Law.  No. 3 (252). Is. 39 Pp. 193-195. (In Russ.).

  12. Kozlachkov A.A. (2013). The State and the Church as a Problem of the Religious Philosophy of Law // State and Law. No. 9. Pp. 58-66. (In Russ.).

  13. Kudryavtsev V.A. (2014). Spiritually-Value Problems of Power and Justice in Russia // Moscow State University Bulletin. Series 18. Sociology and Politics. No. 1. Pp. 62-74. (In Russ.).

  14. Mamedov O.Yu. (2012). «Filosofizm» Against «Economism» // Terra Economicus. Vol. 10. No. 3. Pp. 63-68. (In Russ.).

  15. Mjor K.J. (2020). Russian Religious Philosophy in a Secular Age // The History of Philosophy Yearbook. Vol. 35. Pp. 263-282. (In Russ.).

  16. Nazarova G.F., Panamarchuk D.K. (2014). Philosophy of Economy According to S.N. Bulgakov: Anthropological Aspect // Scientific Notes of Orel State University. No. 5 (61). Pp. 129-134. (In Russ.).

  17. Okeanskya Zh.L. (2009). Bulgakov Speaking on the Metaphysics of the Economy in His Early Research // The Transbaikal State University Journal. No. 5 (56). Pp. 156-159. (In Russ.).

  18. Osipov I.D. (2004). S.N. Bulgakov;'s Philosophy of Economy: Beyond Utilitarism and Asketism // Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Series 6: Philosophy. Cultural studies. Political science. Law. International Relations. No. 2. Pp. 36-41. (In Russ.).

  19. Osipov Yu.M. (2005). Philosophy of Economics: A Textbook. – M.: Ekonomika. (In Russ.).

  20. Popov A.N. (2017). Philosophical Comprehension of the Labour Role in the Economic Activities of the Parish in the Works of Archpriest Sergius Bulgakov // Society: Philosophy, History, Culture. No. 10. Pp. 31-37. (In Russ.).

  21. Renaissance of the philosophy of economy (2011): Yu.M. Osipov, E.S. Zotova (Eds.). – M.: TEIS. (In Russ.).

  22. Samsin A.I. (2005). Philosophy of Economics by S.N. Bulgakov: Postulates and Lessons // Free Thought – XXI. No. 8. Pp. 170-178. (In Russ.).

  23. Samsin A.I., Skripnikova M.I. (2013). Philosophical and Economic Thoughts of S.N. Bulgakov and Problems of Modern Life // Vestnik of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. No. 4. Pp. 47-53. (In Russ.).

  24. Sophia. A Hundred Years of Russian Philosophy of Economics (2012): Yu.M. Osipov, A.I. Ageev, E.S. Zotova (Eds.). –  M.: TEIS. (In Russ.).

  25. Somin N.V. (2007). S.N. Bulgakov: the Logic of Development of His Social and Economical Thought // St. Tikhon’s University Review. Series I: Theology. Philosophy. Religious Studies. Is. 3 (19). Pp. 57-70. (In Russ.).

  26. Sushentsova M.S. (2011). The Problem of Values in the Philosophy of Economics by S. N. Bulgakov and its Actualization in Contemporary Economic Methodology // Economy of Education. No. 3. Pp. 183-187. (In Russ.).

  27. Talonov A.V., Koryagina I.A. (2016). S.N. Bulgakov: The Russian Way in Economy // Vestnik of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. No. 6 (90). Pp. 168-173. (In Russ.).

  28. Tsygonkov A.S., Obolevich T. (2016). The Social Philosophy of Sergei Bulgakov in the Contemporary German-speaking Investigations (on the Example of the Works of K. Brechner) // History of Philosophy. Vol. 21. No. 1. Pp. 108-115. (In Russ.).

 

  

Manuscript submission date: 03.12.2025

Manuscript acceptance date: 19.03.2026

 

For citation: Rozanova N. Ecosystem Philosophy of Nature and Human Beings in the Works of Sergei Bulgakov // Voprosy teoreticheskoy ekonomiki. 2026. No. 2. Pp. 135–145. DOI:  10.52342/2587- 7666VTE_2026_2_135_145.