LOVE AS THE SUPREME LAW
Lev Tolstoj
the man who turned love into law
Tolstoj's life
Lev Tolstoj, was born in 1828 at the Yasnaya Polyana estate, into a Russian aristocratic family.During his youth:- he studied at Kazan University- he served as an army officer and took part in the Crimean WarAround the age of forty, however, he underwent a profound spiritual crisis. He began to question the meaning of life, religion and morality. From that moment on, he developed a philosophy based on love, non-violence and moral justice.
He began to write and became one of the greatest writers in world literature.
- War and Peace
- Anna Karenina
- Resurrection
- The Death of Ivan Il'ič
- The Kingdom of God Is Within You
LOVE AS THE SUPREME LAW
the teachings of Jesus Christ- The true law that should guide human life is not that imposed by the state or by institutions, but a universal moral law based on love - Love for one’s neighbour is the fundamental principle -Love becomes the highest moral law
“The Kingdom of God is within you and is realized by love.”
The Kingdom of God Is Within You
The Kingdom of God Is Within You” (1894)
- The most important law for human beings is the commandment to love one’s neighbour.
- The “Kingdom of God” is not an external place, but an inner reality that manifests itself when one lives according to love, compassion and justice.
- He criticises violence, war and injustice
- This work profoundly influenced figures such as Mahatma Gandhi,
Mahatma Gandhi said of this book: "Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within You overwhelmed me. It left an abiding impression on me. Before the independent thinking, profound morality and the truthfulness of this book, all the books given me...seemed to pale into insignificance."
“All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.”
Anna Karenina
TWO IMPORTANT TOPICS
Morality as universal love
Non-violence
- Following the law of love means rejecting any form of violence.
- War and revenge are incompatible with the principle of universal love.
- True strength lies in the ability to confront injustice with forgiveness.
- Those who practise non-violence act in accordance with love.
- True morality does not come from the laws of the state or religious rites, but arises from love for others.
- Every person has within them an awareness: by following this awareness, one acts for the good of others and not merely for oneself.
- Love becomes the supreme law, the guide that enables one to live righteously.
“The law of love is the highest and only law of human life.”
The Kingdom of God Is Within You
Love and the law of the State
- States often justify violence, war and punishment, but true moral law teaches us not to harm others.
- Tolstoj maintained that the individual should first and foremost follow their own conscience and the principle of love, even when this conflicts with the laws imposed by society.
Documentary
A documentary lasting around 40 minutes that explores Tolstoy’s life, experiences and philosophy, helping viewers to understand how his moral ideas took shape.
"For the rest of his life, he would tirelessly defend the humble and the values of a simple, authentic Christianity.”
The End
Lev Tolstoj
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Transcript
LOVE AS THE SUPREME LAW
Lev Tolstoj
the man who turned love into law
Tolstoj's life
Lev Tolstoj, was born in 1828 at the Yasnaya Polyana estate, into a Russian aristocratic family.During his youth:- he studied at Kazan University- he served as an army officer and took part in the Crimean WarAround the age of forty, however, he underwent a profound spiritual crisis. He began to question the meaning of life, religion and morality. From that moment on, he developed a philosophy based on love, non-violence and moral justice.
He began to write and became one of the greatest writers in world literature.
LOVE AS THE SUPREME LAW
the teachings of Jesus Christ- The true law that should guide human life is not that imposed by the state or by institutions, but a universal moral law based on love - Love for one’s neighbour is the fundamental principle -Love becomes the highest moral law
“The Kingdom of God is within you and is realized by love.”
The Kingdom of God Is Within You
The Kingdom of God Is Within You” (1894)
Mahatma Gandhi said of this book: "Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within You overwhelmed me. It left an abiding impression on me. Before the independent thinking, profound morality and the truthfulness of this book, all the books given me...seemed to pale into insignificance."
“All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.”
Anna Karenina
TWO IMPORTANT TOPICS
Morality as universal love
Non-violence
“The law of love is the highest and only law of human life.”
The Kingdom of God Is Within You
Love and the law of the State
Documentary
A documentary lasting around 40 minutes that explores Tolstoy’s life, experiences and philosophy, helping viewers to understand how his moral ideas took shape.
"For the rest of his life, he would tirelessly defend the humble and the values of a simple, authentic Christianity.”
The End