Kenosis as a key to understanding the history of philosophy in the works of Gianni Vattimo

The article explores the concept of the Italian philosopher Gianni Vattimo, according to which the entire history of philosophy can be considered as a confrontation between two styles of thinking - "strong" and "weak". "Strong" thinking is characterized by Vattimo as closely associated with the claim to reveal the ultimate structure of reality, and "weak" thinking - as thinking devoid of such a claim, open to dialogue and the search for consensus between different positions and points of view. Vattimo is convinced that the historical-philosophical process is associated with the gradual erosion of "strong" thinking (classical metaphysics or ontotheology) and the formation of "weak" thought in the context of modern post-metaphysical philosophy. The main historical impulse that caused the destruction (erosion) of the great metaphysical narratives, according to Vattimo, was the event of the Incarnation. This event is associated in Christian theology with self-abasement or exhaustion of God – kenosis and, as such, goes beyond the framework of theological narrative itself, affects all spheres of human culture, including the intellectual sphere, “weakening” it. This “weakening” is expressed in the transition from the construction of metaphysical systems to the pluralism of concepts, and, consequently, the openness of thinking people to dialogue. It is in this sense that Vattimo characterizes kenosis as the key to understanding the history of philosophy. In addition, the philosopher insists that the opposition of “strong” and “weak” styles of thinking cannot be reduced exclusively to the theoretical plane. Each of these styles has a social dimension. “Strong” thinking is expressed in the practices of violence, the suppression of dissent, while “weak” thinking, being the implementation of the kenotic impulse in the intellectual history of mankind, is realized in love. The author concludes that Vattimo's concept is an interesting philosophical attempt to actualize Christian ideas in the space of modern post-metaphysical discourse, however, from the point of view of Christian doctrine, this concept should be subjected to critical reflection, revealing both its positive and negative sides.