S.E. Desnitsky and Discussions on Natural Law in Russia in 18th century

Abstract

The paper investigates the current state of academic studies on the first Russian university professor of law S.E. Desnitsky. Based on this analysis, I conclude that there are numerous gaps in the findings of his views on natural law. To find out the sources of Desnitsky’s ideas on natural law and the main objects of his criticism, the following works are scrutinized: courses and debates on natural law in the 50s of the 18 century at the Moscow University of Professor Ph.H. Dilthey; works of the German jurist and philosopher J.G. Heineccius, which were popular in Russia at that time; A. Smith’s “Lectures on justice, police, revenue and arms”, and J. Millar’s lectures on Roman law. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of Desnitsky’s speech “The Word of Direct and Nearest Way to Studying Jurisprudence” (1768). The conclusion questions the originality of Desnitsky as a thinker or legal scholar and his role in the formation of the unique Russian legal thought.