DUNJA ZUPANČIČ :: MIHA TURŠIČ :: DRAGAN ŽIVADINOV

Cosmism is a cosmocentric philosophical and cultural movement which appeared in Russia at the end of the 19^th century. It reached its peak at the beginning of the 20^th century. Cosmism covers a broad range of ideas about the beginnings, existence and future of the universe. It brings together eastern and western philosophies. The main representatives of Russian cosmism are Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky, scientist, theoretician and father of cosmonautics, and Nikolai Fyodorovich Fyodorov, a philosopher who was in favour of radical life extension using scientific methods. Fyodorov is considered to be one of the precursors of transhumanism – an intellectual and cultural movement which defends the use of science and technology for improving human capabilities. With their essays, books and theories, Tsiolkovsky and Fyodorov had an important influence on Russian historical “futurists”.