Reason for the Weak

The concept of blind faith is often difficult for rational people to comprehend. Rational people believe that every aspect of life must be able to be explained with logic. However, rationalism and faith often come in conflict with each other, creating an exceptional strife in the minds of those unable to accept that which cannot be viewed. In such divergence, the concept of nihilism is often planted into the mind of those who are incapable of acknowledging human nature and the spiritual and natural laws of life. Nihilism, the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless can lead to chaos and suffering of a society. With Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky portrays that Russian nihilism, a philosophy based on extreme rationalism, will never successfully exist because it inherently contradicts human emotions, through the relentless examination of Raskolnikov’s experiences in a Marxist society.

In his own personal philosophy, Raskolnikov’s alienation from society leads him to believe that he is superior to all, such isolation impelling him to form single sided concepts about society. Initially Raskolnikov attempts to hide himself from encountering others in the world around him, “Raskolnikov was not used to crowds…he avoided society of every sort, more especially of late” (Dostoevsky 9). His close mindedness shuts himself off from interacting socially, but more importantly, intellectually with others, ultimately leads to forming beliefs based solely upon personal biases. His precepts on life fail to recognize the larger picture of his surroundings and the importance he plays in others’ life, bringing him to believe that life is meaningless.

Raskolnikov is a dark character, extre...

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...v, a common man, could represent the ideals of Dostoevsky, that nihilism cannot exist in society.

From the experiences of Raskolnikov it is certain that Russian nihilism contradicts human emotions and thus will never succeed. Using a Marxist critical approach, it can be shown that Dostoevsky attempts to stop nihilism from becoming a part of Russian culture by showing emotions and actions within such rational thinkers as Raskolnikov. Through Raskolnikov, Dostoevsky shows that people cannot be entirely rational because nihilism does not account for feelings or emotions. To think in a purely rational manner is to think only with logic. Morals, emotions, and feelings do not coexist with the purely rational thought associated with nihilism. In the end, Dostoevsky shows that human emotions cannot be ignored and rationalism along with faith are a necessity for mankind.