Izvestiya of Saratov University.

Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy

ISSN 1819-7671 (Print)
ISSN 2542-1948 (Online)

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Sinitsyn A. A. “I’m not alone, and we are still to come…”: Philosophical intentions in A.А. Tarkovsky’s poem “Socrates”. Izvestiya of Saratov University. Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy, 2026, vol. 26, iss. 3, pp. 238-250. DOI: 10.18500/1819-7671-2026-26-3-238-250, EDN: FOJYYG

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Language: 
Russian
Heading: 
Philosophy
Article type: 
Article
UDC: 
821.161.1-145.09+929[Тарковский+Сократ]
DOI: 
10.18500/1819-7671-2026-26-3-238-250
EDN: 
FOJYYG

“I’m not alone, and we are still to come…”: Philosophical intentions in A.А. Tarkovsky’s poem “Socrates”

Autors: 
Sinitsyn Alexandr A., The Dostoevsky Russian Christian Academy for the Humanities
Abstract: 

Introduction. The scholars point out that Arseny Tarkovsky’ works are metaphysical, religious-philosophical. This article analyses the poem “Socrates”. Empirical analysis. The first stanza says that he (Socrates = author) is not a tsar; he does not crave the power over others, he does not strive for honours and victories in wars since he renounces wars and violence; the second stanza declares that he is not a slave; the final, the third, stanza determines the place the poet chooses for himself: he is a creator, and his craft embodies the divine spark. To enounce his worldview, to express his philosophy poetically, Tarkovsky chooses the image of Socrates though the poem does not mention the name of the legendary philosopher. Theoretical analysis. On behalf of the Athenian philosopher, the poet says that Socrates is not the only one who can conceive the ultimate wisdom. But now his experience is unique; Socrates was and is alone, yet, in the times to come, there may be ‘us’ – experience(s) of others following the mentor of Socrates. Conclusion. We hereafter purports to be the ancient philosopher’s claim and the hope cherished by the contemporary Russian poet.

Key words: 
Socrates
Russian philosophical lyrics
Arseny Tarkovsky
power
dumbness
emptiness
the hereafter
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Received: 
07.07.2025
Accepted: 
03.06.2026
Published: 
30.09.2026