D'Herbigny's Soloviev : the lures of universal hermeneutics

Abstract

A discussion of Michel d 'Herbigny ,SI's interpretation of Vladimir Soloviev (1853- 1900) may seem trite and even inopportune. For one thing, it may be argued, d'Herbigny is a second-rate, if not third-rate, figure with a tragic finale who has never been really rehabilitated. It may thus not be quite so clear, after all, what he stands for, not to say anything of the fact that his perspective itself, as it may be recovered from.his writings, is questionable and has been challenged on several important counts. All in all, there seem to be more valid viewpoints than d'Herbigny's which have a claim on our attention. Besides, his interpretation has been laid to rest and, in the long run, certainly has found no great favour among critics.