Cover of Dialogue and Universalism
>> Go to Current Issue

Dialogue and Universalism

Volume 17, Issue 5/6, 2007
The European Spirit of Polish Culture in the Perspective of Universalism

Table of Contents

Already a subscriber? - Login here
Not yet a subscriber? - Subscribe here

Browse by:



Displaying: 1-20 of 24 documents


1. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Józef L. Krakowiak Instead of an Editorial: The European Spirit of Polish Culture and Universalism as a Metaphilosophy
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
For my part I seek the metaphilosophical in universalism in the interdisciplinariness concept typical for ecology and system and information theory. I reject monologue as a form of hegemony and propose dialogue as an interpersonal path for seekers and cocreators of truth. I accept relational and reject substantialistic ontologies and all absolutism, including virtues, in an attempt to make room for the quest for common values attainable by those who identify with them on multiple levels (the universalism of Paul of Tarsis). Hence, basing on humanity’s cultural and civilizational multiplicity, I analyze the Europeanism idea through the prism of centripetal and centrifugal forces, locating “Polish” elements on this path. On one hand I approach Europeanism as the most immediate of the environments which reflect and make understandable the spiritual aspects of Polishness, on the other hand I suggest that many of its aspects should be avoided.Nonetheless I commend the disclosure and sustainance of the separateness of ethical norms developed by the ancient Greek from the legal norms instituted by Rome and the religious norms imposed on our western civilization by Christianity. This is something other civilizations lack and what bars them from more intensive participation in humanity’s advancement towards universal civilization—no longer seen as monopolistic, as in the ecological perspective this would only enhance mankind’s destruction. From the Polish perspective the most valuable Europeanism aspects are diversity, methodology in the quest for truth in philosophy, religion and science, openness to the objective products of the human spirit (which Islamic civilization opposed), and a strong accent on praxis.To close I will allow myself reference to Janusz Kuczyński’s Polishness Decalogue, an attempt to analyze the Polish “national spirit” and pinpoint those universal aspects of “Polishness” which—as clusters of empirical, social, theoretical and cultural facts—still fill Polish hearts with pride. Here, as we can see, the initially concretized universality criterion ultimately becomes an applied valuation category. Hence, universalism as a meta-philosophy appears to be a philosophy of essence, not fact, and therefore not subject to valuation.
2. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Stanisław Mossakowski Polish Art—Between Universal and Native
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
The paper presents Polish culture from the X century to the present time inspected from a special perspective, namely that determined by the opposition universal-native. It is shown that in Poland the native, at times slightly modest artistic styles and forms as well as the more cosmopolitan and universal European trends always served the best-possible expression of the essence of the Polish people and their national traditions, unbrokenly preserved over ages.
3. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Józef Hen, Natalia Janota, Benjamin Borek The Royal Constitution
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
Stanisław August Poniatowski (1732–1798) was the last king of Poland. He reigned from 1764 to 1795 and, during this time the first Polish constitution, the first in Europe, was established. These excerpts come from Hen’s book My Friend the King (Mój Przyjaciel Król). The book is narrated by the fictional Gaston Fabre, who is a close confidant of the King and is privy to all the turmoil and machinations at Court in months and years preceding the signing of the constitution.
models of universality in slavic thought
4. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Michał Masłowski, Klaudyna Hildebrandt Mickiewicz’s Models of Universality
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
In the paper the model of universality revealed by Adam Mickiewicz is investigated. It is claimed that his model of universality, which plays in Polish culture a role of a cultural canon, is distinct from the Enlightenment view on universality.
5. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Andrzej Walicki Adam Mickiewicz’s Paris Lectures and the Russian Thinkers
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
The paper analyzed opinions, provoked or initiated by Mickiewicz’s thoughts, claimed by Russian thinkers: Vladimir Soloviev, Vladimir Herzen and others. Thethoughts concern mainly Slavophile messianism.
6. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Janusz Dobieszewski Vladimir Soloviev’s Historiosophical Universalism
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
The article outlines Vladimir Soloviev’s views at the time of his fascination by the theocracy, Christian policy and United Church concepts. His standpoint then was to place the “Godmanhood” idea underlying his philosophy in a realistic, historically and socially factual—hence universalistic—context. This led him to confer a special role in the historical process to the Christian church, which he saw as a dynamic institution adding energy to history. Soloviev considered this energy crucial in the rebirth of Christian unity around the Holy See and the fulfillment of the “social trinity” reflecting the structure of the Divine Absolute and harmoniously uniting three relatively independent seats of social power: clerical, state and prophetic. For Soloviev the fulfillment of this project consisted in a lasting alliance between the papacy and the Tsar’s court, a concept which sounds very eccentric today.
7. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Jan Ryszard Błachnio The Universalism Philosophy of Seweryn Smolikowski (1850–1920) and Early 21st-Century Universalism
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
Generally speaking, philosophical reflection can assume two extreme forms: it can either be based on metaphysical reflection which gives it the traits of a universalistic philosophy, or empiricism, in which case it can be called philosophical minimalism. There are no others alternatives, and the above categories apply to all philosophical systems. Smolikowski’s philosophy is maximalistic and metaphysical, hence he was right to call the system universalism philosophy. As W. Tyburski writes, Smolikowski’s universalism philosophy has two main goals: to provide firmer ground for metaphysics and stand in opposition to both positivism and German pessimism philosophy.
polish culture in the european perspectives
8. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Jørgen Knudsen My Essence Intensified—Georg Brandes’ Polish Impressions
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
The Danish critic Georg Brandes (1842–1927) visited Warsaw in 1885 and 1886, with the pretext of lecturing—in French—on modern literature, making thereby the Polish cause for freedom his own. It was his endeavor not to take sides in the smoldering strife between radical and catholic circles, freedom from the brutal Russian regime being the chief common issue. During his second visit he lectured on Polish literature, though only knowing it through translations. This demonstration of solidarity was received with enthusiasm.In his book Impressions from Poland—Danish 1888, in English, German and Polish 1898—he gives a vivid description of the Polish passion for freedom, not hiding more negative sides of the national character as he found them, such as improvidence and bohemianism. The book was understood as an act of solidarity, and during a visit to Krakow in 1898 he was hailed as the spokesman of freedom and one of the few West-European supporters of the Polish cause.When, by November 1914, Brandes learned about Polish religious pogroms he did not hesitate to condemn them in two articles born by indignation. The articles, immediately published in many languages, aroused much attention worldwide, at the same time costing him most of his Polish popularity.
9. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Olga Dmitrievna Bazhenova, Lena Sisking, Beata Elwich, Krystyna Gutowska The Reconstruction of the Corpus Christi Interior in Nieśwież as an Example of European Cultural Space Continuity
abstract | view |  rights & permissions | cited by
The paper reports on the state of Polish and Belarusian scientists’ research on eighteenth century reconstruction and pictorial decorations of the Corpus Christ Church in Nieśwież. On the basis of the inquiry conducted based on Belarusian, Polish and American archives, the author forms a new hypothesis that the reconstruction and church decoration was done by a North Italian architect, Maurizio Pedetti. This hypothesis reveals the network of European artistic and ideological connections, part of which became Nieśwież through the artistic patronage of the Radziwiłł family.
10. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Kacper Sokołowski On Andrzej Trzebiński’s Literary Output
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
société européene de culture
11. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Wacław Sadkowski LA SOCIÉTÉ EUROPÉENE DE CULTURE — Its Ideas, Goals and Activities
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
12. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Henri Bartoli La S.E.C. aujourd’hui et demain
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
sec’s resolutions, appeals, letters
13. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
M. Campagnolo-Bouvier, Arrigo Levi, Vincenzo Cappelletti Les crises de notre présent et la référence éthique. Appel au dialogue
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
14. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Résolution Finale de l’Assamblée Constutive de La SOCIÉTÉ EUROPÉENNE DE CULTURE
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
15. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Adresse aux intellectuels votée à l’unanimité par la première Assemblée Générale Ordinaire, réunie à Venise du 8 au 11 novembre 1951
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
16. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Lettre aux autorités politiques votée à l’unanimité par la première Assemblée Générale Ordinaire
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
17. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Résolution Finale votée à l’unanimité par le deuxième Assemblée Générale Ordinaire
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
18. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Texte voté à l’unanimité par la quatrième Assemblée Générale Ordinaire
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
19. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Résolution Finale votée à l’unanimité par la troisième Assemblée Générale Ordinaire
view |  rights & permissions | cited by
20. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 17 > Issue: 5/6
Texte voté à l’unanimité par la cinquième Assemblée Générale Ordinaire
view |  rights & permissions | cited by