Catherine the Great: What Did She Believe About Existence?

Catherine the Great ruled Russia for more than three decades, leaving behind a legacy of territorial expansion, political reform, and cultural patronage. But beyond her imperial ambitions, she was a woman of letters, deeply engaged with the intellectual currents of her time. Her beliefs about existence were shaped by Enlightenment philosophy, personal ambition, and the realities of power. Here's a closer look at what she believed and why it still resonates today.

## Was Catherine the Great religious?

Catherine was raised in a Lutheran German principality and later converted to Russian Orthodoxy, a necessary step for her marriage to Peter III and her eventual ascent to the throne. However, her personal faith was more pragmatic than devout. She maintained the outward appearance of Russian Orthodoxy for political reasons but privately leaned toward rationalism and skepticism. Her court was filled with Enlightenment thinkers, and she corresponded with Voltaire for years, suggesting that she valued reason and human progress more than divine revelation.

## Did Catherine believe in the power of reason?

Yes, Catherine strongly believed in the power of reason. She saw herself as an "enlightened" monarch, guided by rational thought and a desire to modernize Russia. She invited Western thinkers to her court, collected books, and even tried her hand at writing plays and political treatises. Her Instruction (Nakaz), a draft legal code for Russia, was heavily influenced by Enlightenment principles such as the rule of law and the rights of citizens. She believed that rulers should govern not by divine right, but by wisdom and reason.

## What did she think about her role as a ruler?

Catherine saw herself as a servant of the state, but also as a strong leader destined to guide Russia into the modern era. She believed in enlightened absolutism — the idea that a ruler should wield absolute power, but use it to benefit the people. She saw her reign as a mission to bring order, justice, and civilization to a vast and diverse empire. Though she was pragmatic in her use of power, she also felt a sense of duty and destiny, often writing about her responsibility to elevate Russia to the level of Western Europe.

## Did she believe in progress?

Absolutely. Catherine was deeply invested in the idea of progress — for herself, her empire, and humanity. She expanded Russia’s borders, reorganized its administration, supported education, and collected art with a fervor that suggested she believed in a better future. Her correspondence with philosophers and artists reveals a mind always seeking to learn, improve, and refine. She believed that through knowledge, reform, and strong leadership, society could evolve and flourish.

## How did she view human nature?

Catherine’s view of human nature was complex. She was idealistic in her writings, often expressing faith in the potential of people to be governed by reason and virtue. Yet, as a ruler, she was deeply aware of the realities of power — the need for control, the inevitability of conflict, and the fragility of order. Her policies were often a balancing act between her Enlightenment ideals and the practical demands of ruling a vast empire. She believed people could be improved through education and law, but also needed firm guidance.

## What did she believe about her own existence?

Catherine lived with a sense of purpose and self-awareness. She chronicled her life in memoirs and letters, suggesting she saw herself as a figure of historical importance. She believed that her life was not merely a personal journey but a part of something greater — the shaping of a nation. Her existence was defined by ambition, intellect, and resilience, and she saw her role as both a woman and a ruler as a challenge to be met with strength and cunning.

Talk to Catherine the Great on HoloDream to explore her thoughts on power, philosophy, and life firsthand.