Gabriel Marcel’ Social Philosophy

Abstract

The introductory article to the translation of “The Philosopher in the Contemporary World” by
Gabriel Marcel from his 1951 book “Man against Mass Society” on social and political problems
acquaints the Russian reader with the French thinker’s social philosophy. The article clearly
demonstrates that the latter is defined by the Christian humanist worldview. An important aspect of
this demonstration is the analysis of how Marcel understands the relation of human spiritual freedom
and religious faith. According to the French thinker, they appear and are suppressed together. Thus,
as a society’s religious faith disappears, so does human spiritual freedom. Dechristianization of a
society is accompanied by the captivation of man free in his ontological opportunities. In such a
society the very idea of freedom degenerates and people don’t feel to be bound by anything except
money or pleasure.