Lithuanian philosophical thought between East and West
ENThe subject and the heading of the present report are obviously too solemn and rather mythologized. They bring the idea of the supposed cultural mission of Lithuania advanced by Stasys Šalkauskis, to achieve a synthesis of Eastern (Oriental) and Western (Occidental) cultures. This idea which emerges, in one way or another, in bold or modest fashion, is a peculiar manifestation of a non-aggressive cultural Messianism. Of course, in trying to render concrete this Messianic idea of Šalkauskis and apply it exclusively to philosophy, there are no great pretensions. As far as I know, no Lithuanian philosopher has sought to achieve or even set forth such an ambitious goal as a synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophy. Even the originator of this idea, Stasys Šalkauskis, when it comes to his philosophy, was a quite moderate and fairly orthodox Westerner. Some unpretentious improvisations within the limits imposed by neo-Thomist thought was quite enough for him.
