Ubermensch (In pre-Soviet Russia, Lex Luthor) - The ubermensch is often translated from Russian to English as meaning "superman". In Dostoyevky's novel, Raskolnikov communicates this philosophy through his explanation of the difference between extraordinary and ordinary people. He claims that these extraordinary people are the source of progress for the human race. An "extraordinary" person of this description is the ubermensch. It is clear Raskolnikov considers himself one of these people at a certain point, not even denying it when he is directly questioned by Porfiry. "Power is given only to him who dares to stoop and take it... one must have the courage to dare." - Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment, Part 5, Ch. 4
Social Darwinism (My Mom Hates You Darwin)- Similiar in a way to the idea of the ubermensch, Social Darwinism involves the selection of more adapt individuals over time due to their traits that help them survive. The ubermensch is in a way the best of the selected individuals and is supposed to lead others into the future according to Raskolnikov."No, all I did was quite simply to allude to the fact that an "extraordinary" person has a right... not an official right, of course, but a private one, to allow his conscience to step across certain...obstacles, and then only if the execution of his idea (which may occasionally be the salvation of all mankind) requires it. - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment Part 3, Ch. 5
Utilitarianism (Who Cares for Minorities?)- Justifies acts in the name of the greater good for the largest majority possible. When Raskolnikov first hears about the pawnbroker he gets the idea that she is a terrible person, which she is proven to be, and he uses this and her unused money as justification for murdering her. He cares nothing for the "Old louse" before and after murdering her, and is rather anxious about his action rather than the people it effected. “What do you think, would not one tiny crime be wiped out by thousands of good deeds?” - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
Socialism (Barrier against Crime) - In a socialist society ownership of all property is shared by the public, and production is bent toward meeting immediate economic needs. Dostoyevsky uses Raskolnikov to communicate the idea that in a socialist society equality counters any incentive to commit crime. "You know their doctrine; crime is a protest against the abnormality of the social organisation and nothing more, and nothing more; no other causes admitted!" - Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment, Part 3, Ch. 5
Nihilism ( ) - This philosophy suggests that everything is meaningless and immoral. Nihilism is apparent right from the beginning of the story when Raskolnikov is talking to Marmeladov at the bar. When Marmeladov is explaining to Raskolnikov that he himself is a worthless human being that causes nothing but pain for his family, we see that the reason is his inability to lead a responsible life, instead choosing to drink it all away. It brings up the question: why would he continue living like this? Isn't he just hurting his family over and over again? There's nothing to gain from living this sort of way, so either change your ways, or stop living altogether. “Do you understand, sir, do you understand what it means when you have absolutely nowhere to turn?” - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
Utilitarianism (Who Cares for Minorities?)- Justifies acts in the name of the greater good for the largest majority possible. When Raskolnikov first hears about the pawnbroker he gets the idea that she is a terrible person, which she is proven to be, and he uses this and her unused money as justification for murdering her. He cares nothing for the "Old louse" before and after murdering her, and is rather anxious about his action rather than the people it effected. “What do you think, would not one tiny crime be wiped out by thousands of good deeds?” - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
Existentialism (Giving Meaningless a Whole new Meaning) - You exist, and that's what matters. We and everything else have no meaning, meaning is created through action. This is apparent in Raskolnikov's thought process, as he sees his existence as pointless unless he can perform an "extraordinary" act. He doesn't believe initially that his existence is worth anything unless he can prove himself to be extraordinary. There is also a constant fear of taking action, which relates to Existentialism. “He walked on without resting. He had a terrible longing for some distraction, but he did not know what to do, what to attempt. A new overwhelming sensation was gaining more and more mastery over him every moment; this was an immeasurable, almost physical, repulsion for everything surrounding him, an obstinate, malignant feeling of hatred. All who met him were loathsome to him - he loathed their faces, their movements, their gestures. If anyone had addressed him, he felt that he might have spat at him or bitten him... .” - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
Feminism (Yes, we found it in this book too) - Feminism is the ongoing movement for equality for men and women in every aspect of society. Pyotr Petrovich desires a woman that relies on him entirely, and through his contributions he looks for worship from this wife. The subject of woman's dependence on men is brought up in this way so that we can see the disadvantaged position that this can leave women trapped in. This subject is brought up by Lebezyatnikov, who claims it is impossible to try and push it into society. "...at first I thought that if it were accepted that a woman is a man's equal in everything, even in strength(which people are already claiming so), then there ought to be equality in this case, too. Of course, I reasoned afterwards that such a question ought in essence never to arise..." - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment Part 5, Ch. 1
9. Marxism (Despite Recurring Events, Oppressors Will Be Gone)- Says that the upper-class is oppressing the masses and that eventually they will overthrow their oppressors. After this occurs their is supposed to be a classless society that forms, where there aren't different levels of political or social power. This would be the equivalent of Socialism. The level of poverty that Raskolnikov is surrounded with and has to live in is the driving force that caused him to murder the old woman. The pawnbroker, seen here as the oppressor who has all the money and certain power over her poor customers, becomes the target of Raskolnikov. This is because Raskolnikov wants to use the money (initially) to get himself back on track and boost his own life. Closely tied in this story to Utilitarianism, Marxism can also be seen as the basis for Raskolnikov's argument that his criminal act wasn't really a crime at all.
Communism (Look What You Did Karl) - Based off of the theories of Karl Marx, Communism is a political theory in which all of society owns all property and individual people have different earnings based on needs and training. Karl Marx wrote that after society overthrows their oppressor they will move to Socialism, and from there they will move towards Communism. Shortly After this book was written the Bolsheviks overthrew the provisional government, and that allowed for the implementation of Communism in Russia.
