This seminal work by Leo Tolstoy is divided into two major treatises that challenge the very foundations of contemporary civilization. The first, 'The Kingdom of God is Within You,' explores the true meaning of Christ's teachings, arguing that Christianity is not a mystical doctrine but a new life-conception based on non-resistance to evil by violence. Tolstoy examines the historical suppression of non-resistant sects, the hypocrisy of state churches, and the crushing moral weight of general military conscription, which forces citizens to act as gladiators against their own consciences. The second treatise, 'What is Art?'
, fiercely attacks aesthetic theories that prioritize beauty or pleasure over morality. Tolstoy argues that true art is a unifying human activity that transmits the highest and best feelings, specifically the religious perception of brotherhood and love. Throughout both texts, the author poses a central problem: how humanity can continue to live in flagrant contradiction to its highest moral consciousness.
He analyzes the economic, political, and international inconsistencies of modern life, showing how the ruling classes maintain power through violence while suppressing the truth. The argument develops through a relentless examination of state hypocrisy, the complicity of science and art in justifying violence, and the spiritual awakening of individuals. Ultimately, the work points toward a future where human society is transformed not through political revolutions or diplomatic congresses, but through the sincere, individual effort to live according to the moral law of love and peace.
