The lecture provides an introduction to the history of Polish philosophy. The lecture is intended primarily for foreigners who wish to better understand the traditions and current situation of philosophy in Poland. The lecture will also provide key information about Polish culture and history, which will allow you to understand the key cultural significance that philosophy has played over the centuries. The course will also provide a better understanding of the local intellectual traditions that shape philosophy at the John Paul II Pontifical University in Krakow.
Through the lecture you will also discover how many places in Krakow are related to philosophy. In fact, Krakow is a unique place for Polish philosophy - it is the most important center of Polish philosophy with the longest uninterrupted tradition of practicing philosophy in Poland. You will discover a little known face of the city that you won't read about in any guidebook.
Course’s type: specialty-specific
Elective course Yes
Hours: 30
ECTS points: 2 (4)
Lecturer dr hab. Paweł POLAK, prof. UPJPII
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge about philosophy and their history.
Aims: to present main achievements of Polish philosophers since Middle Age to 20th century
Learning contents:
a. Beginnings of philosophy in Poland
b. Philosophy of Kraków School of Law in 15th century
c. Humanist philosophy in Poland
d. Specificity of Polish Enlightenment philosophy
e. Main trends in 19th century: romanticism vs positivism
f. Christian philosophy in Poland – since Aeterni Patris until Vaticanum II
g. Philosophy in science in Kraków – a unique interdisciplinary tradition
h. Analytical philosophy in Poland
Assessment method, credit requirements:
grading on a base of own's final paper defence (topic interwined with the history of Polish philosophy)
There will be no penalty for the late work.
Student's activity during the class as well the discussion of the paper or the high outcome of post-test (over 80%) may raise one's grade.
Attendance is mandatory.
Criteria for grading an essay and defence:
• clarity,
• content development,
• use of evidence,
• analysis,
• logic and argumentation.
Primary literature:
- K. Bochenek, L. Gawor, M. Michalik-Jeżowska, R. Wójtowicz, A Brief History of Polish Philosophy, Rzeszów 2021.
- P. Polak, 19th century beginnings of the Kraków philosophy of nature, „Copernicus Center Reports”, t. 4, 2013, ss. 83–93.
Additional literature for Erasmus students:
- J. Jadacki, Tradition of the Lvov-Warsaw School in the Second Half of the 20th Century in Poland, [in:] Tradition of the Lvov-Warsaw School: Ideas and Continuations, A. Chybińska i in. (red.), Leiden ; Boston 2016.
- J. Woleński, Lvov-Warsaw School, [in:] The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, E. N. Zalta (red.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University 2019.
- M. Woźniczka, D. Dąbek, Polish Ideas in Philosophy (Polish Philosophy and Philosophy in Poland), „Prace Naukowe Akademii im. Jana Długosza w Częstochowie. Filozofia”, t. 8, 2011, ss. 33–59.
Supplementary literature:
- J.J. Jadacki, Polish analytical philosophy: studies on its heritage: with the appendix containing the bibliography of Polish logic from the second half of the 14th century to the first half of the 20th century, Warszawa 2009.
- J.J. Jadacki, Polish philosophy of the 19th and 20th centuries: heritage studies, Warszawa 2015.
- Trombik K., Origin and development of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies: A historical outline by 1993, „Philosophical Problems in Science (Zagadnienia Filozoficzne w Nauce)”, no. 66, 2019.