WINE Alexander

WINE, ALEXANDER (Vinet, Alexandre) (1797-1847), Swiss philosopher, theologian and literary. Born in Ouchy, near Lausanne, June 17, 1797. He studied theology at Lausanne. In 1817-1837 he taught French language and literature in high school in Basel. In 1837 he became a professor of practical theology at Lausanne Academy.

Wine whole life studying Pascal, assuming that the main thing in his vision - it anthropology. Pascal's idea that man without God is void, and with God is great, allows, according to Vince, a theology that is closely related to the spiritual life. Based on the ideas of Pascal, a practical philosophy of Kant and the Anglo-Saxon spiritualist philosophy, Vince solved the problem of personality, the relationship of morality and religion from the perspective of Christian humanism. In his understanding of identity - both individual and social, responsible and indispensable in its singularity. The basis of human consciousness is 'the principle of individuality', or freedom, implying a sense of duty and an intuitive knowledge of moral law. Ultimately, the requirements of morality and grace, duty and faith reconciled only in the Gospel

. Vince rejected socialism and communism in the form, . in which they are brought in the works of Saint-Simon, . Kaba, . Fourier and Proudhon, . Considering, . that the deification of the 'masses', . denial of the principles of individualism and freedom are a mortal danger for the development of the individual and society,
. In contrast to their socialism and communism advocated the idea of religious and political liberalism.

Offering Christian support of individualism, Vince insisted on the individual nature of religion and fought for its freedom and independence of Church and State. The task of the State, he thought, - to guarantee the Church of the conditions of its existence, and in any case not to interfere in its internal life. Freedom in religious matters seemed to him the only guarantee of the authenticity of spiritual identity. Vince, who was called 'Schleiermacher French Protestantism', enjoyed great prestige in the canton. In 1845, when the newly formed government dismissed 184 pastors, Vince was one of the leaders of the movement that led to the establishment of an independent church ( 'the Free Church of Vaud').

Vince died in Klarene May 4, 1847. The fame brought him an outline of courses, supplemented by notes of his students - "Pastoral Theology" (Thц?ologie pastorale, 1850).