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Russian Orthodoxy and Human Motivation: The Categories of ‘Sin’, ‘Humility’, and ‘Obedience’ in the Context of Human Agency and Autonomy
This article provides analysis of the Russian Orthodox Church’s cultural model of human nature, motivation, and virtuous living. Based on examinations of the Church’s official documents and interpretations by the Church’s leading ideologists, the authors uncover this religion’s teaching about the essence of human beings, their motivation, and the prescriptions for living moral and virtuous lives. The article identifies two tendencies within this model: an authoritarian and humanistic one. The authoritarian tendency is shown to dominate in the current time. It’s analysis with regard to human psychological functioning is provided. The need for further investigation and development of the humanistic trend in the Russian Orthodox anthropology is emphasized.