Axiology of Disease in Religious Philosophy of the 20th Century

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the value of disease in religious philosophy of the 20th century. Of particular scientific interest is the study of a number of works by several domestic and foreign philosophers and theologians who worked on health and disease in the last century: Luka Voino-Yasenetsky, P. Kalinovsky, K.S. Lewis and Metropolitan Anthony Sourozhsky. The purpose of this study is to search the works of religious philosophers for a positive aspect of disease. Achieving this goal requires solving several research problems: identifying philosophical works containing a positive view of the problem of disease existence in domestic and foreign philosophy of the 20th century; searching in these works for the reasons why disease can be considered as a blessing in relation to a person suffering from it, as well as determining the role of disease in the society of the last century.Materials and Methods. Descriptive, historical and comparative methods of scientific research are used as general scientific methods of scientific research. Deductive and inductive methods, as well as methods of analysis and synthesis of data, are used separately. A special role belongs to the dialectical method.Results. The religious thinker and doctor Archbishop Luka Voino-Yasenetsky believed that the positive aspect of disease is revealed in the spiritual strengthening of a person due to the idea of unity with God, another domestic thinker and doctor P. Kalinovsky believed that disease contributes to the conversion of an unbeliever to faith, their awareness of the life value, and also physically strengthens the human body. The British religious philosopher and writer K.S. Lewis believed that the positive aspect of disease manifests itself in the spiritual and physical strengthening of a person, the development of empathy. The British religious thinker of Russian origin Metropolitan Anthony Sourozhsky believed that the value aspect of disease lies in the positive dynamics in the behavior of a sick person.Discussion and Conclusion. It was concluded that the axiological aspect of disease, present in the works of domestic and foreign thinkers such as Archbishop Luke Voino-Yasenetsky, P. Kalinovsky, K.S. Lewis, Metropolitan Anthony Sourozhsky, is revealed in the statement that disease mobilizes physical and spiritual potential of a person, helps them realize the value of life, contributes to the development of empathy and awakens religious feelings. At the same time, the article does not deny the presence of a negative component of disease and its large-scale social consequences, however, a special view characteristic of Christianity on the deep meaning of the suffering caused by it is demonstrated.