“Love Philosophy in Yourself, but Not Yourself in Philosophy”: Interview with Omelchenko Nikolai Viktorovich

The conversation with N.V. Omelchenko – Doctor of Sciences (Philosophy), Professor, Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation (2006), Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA, USA, 2001–2002 academic year), awarded the Volgograd State University Medal of Merit (2012) – took place in February 2023. This interview marked the beginning of a series of events dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the specialty 'Philosophy' at Volgograd State University. The first reception of future philosophers was held in 1994. N.V. Omelchenko told about the circumstances of the opening of the specialty 'Philosophy' at Volgograd State University, about the idea, organization, and development of the international conference "The Human Being in Contemporary Philosophical Conceptions," and about the purpose of the educational project "Philosophical School 'Logos'." Omelchenko associates his introduction to philosophy with N.G. Chernyshevsky, whose work Aesthetic Relations of Art to Reality impressed him back in his school years. Dr. Omelchenko defends the thesis that every person is a philosopher. He also considers philosophical therapy as a perspective trend in contemporary philosophy.