Anton Tchekhov and Other Essays is a collection of philosophical essays written by the Russian philosopher Lev Shestov in the early 20th century. The work explores the life and legacy of the renowned Russian playwright and short story writer Anton Tchekhov, examining how his literature intersects with profound existential questions about human existence, despair, and artistic creation. Shestov delves into the ways Tchekhov's writings grapple with the philosophical dilemmas of human suffering and the search for meaning in an indifferent world.
At the beginning of the collection, Shestov reflects on Tchekhov’s life and impact, pointing out that the author is often misunderstood. He argues that Tchekhov’s works critique the very hopes that sustain human existence. Shestov highlights Tchekhov’s portrayal of characters trapped in disillusionment, suggesting that his artistic mission was to expose the futility of human aspirations. Rather than offering solace, Tchekhov’s writings illuminate the harsh truths of life, depicting the bitter realities faced by his protagonists as they struggle with despair and helplessness.
Thus, Shestov positions Tchekhov not simply as a storyteller but as an unrelenting seeker who delves deeply into the profound complexities of human experience.

INTRODUCTION
ANTON TCHEKHOV (CREATION FROM THE VOID)
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
THE GIFT OF PROPHECY(For the twenty-fifth anniversary of F. M. Dostoevsky's death.)
I
II
III
PENULTIMATE WORDS
I De omnibus dubitandum
II Self-renunciation and Megalomania
III Eternal Truths
IV Earth and Heaven
V The Force of Argument
VI Swan Songs
VII What is Philosophy?
VIII Heinrich Heine
IX What is Truth?
X More of Truth
XI I and Thou
THE THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
The Theory of Knowledge as Apologetics
Truth and Utility
Philosophers and Teachers
Truth as a Social Substance
Doctrines and Deductions
Truths, Proven and Unproven
The Limits of Reality
The Given and the Possible
Experiment and Proof
The Seventh Day of Creation
What does the History of Philosophy teach us?
Science and Metaphysics
A Tacit Assumption
The First and the Last