The formula “two times two is four” in the Russian classics and its possible origins

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Keywords: 2x2=4, 2x2=5, F. Dostoevsky, I. Turgenev, V. Odoevsky, the rational and the irrational, Law and Grace.
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Sytina Yu. N. The formula “two times two is four” in the Russian classics and its possible origins. Two centuries of the Russian classics, 2019, vol. 1, no 1, pp. 128–137. (In Russ.) DOI 10.22455/2686-7494-2019-1-1-128-147 
Author: Sytina Yu. N.
Information about the author:

Yuliya N. Sytina, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, Moscow Region State University, Radio st. 10а, 105005, Moscow, Russia

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Received: May 7, 2019
Published: July 27, 2019
Issue: 2019 Volume 1 No. 1–2
Department: Russian literature XVIII and XIX centuries
Pages: 128-147
DOI: 10.22455/2686-7494-2019-1-1-128-147 
UDK: 821.161.1.09"18"

The research is executed with financial support of the RFBR,

project No. 18-012-90043 “The analysis, interpretations and understanding as methodological installations in studying of heritage of Dostoyevsky”

Abstract: The formula 2x2=4 is considered to be the basic “scientific” truth till now. However, doubts about the immutability of this example already appeared in the XIX century. F. Dostoevsky, I. Turgenev, V. Odoevsky and others expressed these doubts. Possible origins of this formula in Russian literature are Catholic scholasticism (it has a rich tradition of proving the existence of God with the help of mathematical facts), German classical philosophy (it often bases idealism on rationalism), French materialism (instead, it denies religion with the help of mathematics).But these directions have had a contradictory impact on Russian classics, creating the  theatres for polemics. The “two times two is four” becomes a symbol of rationality in Russian literature. The opposite to it is the formula “two times two is five”. It is a symbol of irrational perception of the world, Faith in God's Providence. The opposition of these formulas has deep roots in Russian culture and goes back to Gospel and the opposition of Law and Grace. 

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