Nikolai Mikhailovsky
Encyclopedia
Nikolay Konstantinovich Mikhaylovsky (–) was a Russia
n publicist, literary critic, sociologist and one of the theoreticians of the Narodniki movement.
and the masses (crowd
). Contrary to the ideas popular among revolutionary-minded people of the late 19th-early 20th centuries that an individual
having strong character or talent is able to fulfil incredible things and even change of the course of history
in the articles ‘Heroes and Crowd’ (1882) and some other Mikhaylovsky presents a new theory and shows that an individual not necessarily means an outstanding individual, but any individual who by chance finds himself within certain circumstances in the lead or just ahead of the crowd . Mikhaylovsky emphasizes that at definite moments an individual can give a substantial strength to a crowd (through his emotional and actions), and so the whole event can acquire a special power. Thus, the role of an individual depends on its psychological influence is reinforced by mass perception
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n publicist, literary critic, sociologist and one of the theoreticians of the Narodniki movement.
Social philosophy
In his works Nikolay Mikhaylovsky developed the idea of the relationship between the heroHero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
and the masses (crowd
Crowd
A crowd is a large and definable group of people, while "the crowd" is referred to as the so-called lower orders of people in general...
). Contrary to the ideas popular among revolutionary-minded people of the late 19th-early 20th centuries that an individual
Individual
An individual is a person or any specific object or thing in a collection. Individuality is the state or quality of being an individual; a person separate from other persons and possessing his or her own needs, goals, and desires. Being self expressive...
having strong character or talent is able to fulfil incredible things and even change of the course of history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
in the articles ‘Heroes and Crowd’ (1882) and some other Mikhaylovsky presents a new theory and shows that an individual not necessarily means an outstanding individual, but any individual who by chance finds himself within certain circumstances in the lead or just ahead of the crowd . Mikhaylovsky emphasizes that at definite moments an individual can give a substantial strength to a crowd (through his emotional and actions), and so the whole event can acquire a special power. Thus, the role of an individual depends on its psychological influence is reinforced by mass perception