Thinking in Values
THINKING IN VALUES
The Tischner Institute Journal of Philosophy
Nr 2 (2008)
Agathology
EDITORIAL
We have the pleasure of placing in the reader’s hands the second annual issue of Thinking in Values, entitled “Agathology.” What is agathology? One might suppose – following the meaning of the Greek words agaton and logos – that agathology is an aspect of philosophy and its subject is the good, so that it is simply ontology, or the phenomenology of the good. However, reading Tischner’s texts, and especially The Philosophy of Drama and The Controversy Over the Existence of Man, leads us toward the conclusion that agathological thinking requires abandoning these fields of philosophy and entering an entirely new territory of thinking about man in the horizon of the good. The review of Tischner’s texts in the “Tischner on Agathology” section enables us to follow through the evolution that took place in his thinking, and which in short may be defined as: from thinking in values toward thinking in terms of good. The earliest texts from our selection come from the 70’s (The Axiological Impressions were published in 1970), the latest – an excerpt from The Controversy Over the Existence of Man – from the end of the 90’s.
In the section “On Agathology” you will find polemics against Tischner’s concept of thinking in terms of agathology. It is significant that some of them originated during discussions with Tischner, others are the fruit of heated debates during the Tischner Days which have taken place in Kraków for 8 years, on the initiative of academic centers with which Józef Tischner was connected: the Jagiellonian University, the Tischner Institute, the Pontifical Academy of Theology, the State Theatre Academy in Kraków and Znak Publishers, with which Tischner was associated from the very beginning of his work as a writer.
This year we recommend Adam Hernas’ book “Time and Presence.” The book deals with the philosophy of man, describing the most significant of man’s experiences: such as despair, death, love, birth of a child, or hope. We also encourage you to read the two articles in the section called “Tischner’s Focus.” This year we offer texts that will introduce you to Tischner’s philosophy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. TISCHNER`S FOCUS
What Is Thinking in Values? ADAM WĘGRZECKI
Paths of Damnation, Paths of Salvation KAROL TARNOWSKI
II TISCHNER ON AGATHOLOGY
Axiological Pieces
Thinking in Values
The Good
Agathology
Wandering within the Heart of the Good
For the Existence of Man: An Ontological Argument
Freedom As a Manner of Existence of the Good
III ON AGATHOLOGY: ARTICLES, COMMENTARIES, POLEMICS
Being and Good WŁADYSŁAW STRÓŻEWSKI
The Agathological Man BARBARA SKARGA
Man Facing Values or Man Facing Man? JACEK FILEK
On the Uncanniness of Good CEZARY WODZIŃSKI
The Subject Facing Goodness ALEKSANDER BOBKO
The Religious Perspective in Tischner's Philosophy ALEKSANDER BOBKO
IV TISCHNER INSTITUTE RECOMMENDS
Hope ADAM HERNAS
The Tischner Institute Journal of Philosophy
Nr 1 (2007)
Solidarity
EDITORIAL
We have the pleasure of putting in the reader`s hands the first annual issue of Thinking in values, which is dedicated to the topic of solidarity. Why solidarity? Not only is it one of the most mportant concepts of Tischner`s philosophy, but it is also one of the most important events in the recent history of Poland and Europe. More importantly, solidarity is an idea which continually enriches our thinking about the modern world.
When Tischner began his studies of the idea of solidarity he was convinced that it can be saturated with a concrete content by the experience of August `80 in Poland. He believed that thanks to analyzing this experience he would reach the ethical, social and religious dimensions of solidarity. In the section "Tischner on Solidarity"you will find a selection of texts that show Tischner`s engagements with the phenomenon of solidarity in the 80`s. We also recommend the text "Solidarity Years Later", written from the perspective of the 90`s.
In this idea userful to clarify and understand what community means, and are we ready to embrace this idea? The section "On Solidarity: Articles, Commentaries, Polemics" features articles that came into being in recent years. They take up Tischner`s analyses and the experience of August `80, however, above all, they demonstrate that solidarity is a relevant social, moral, and ethical idea.
This year we recommend Professor Karol Tarnowski`s book To hear the Invisible, which is a complete and especially profound study of the problem of faith. We also encourage you to take a look at the first article in our journal, from the section "Tischner`s Focus". This year we have prepared for you a systematic introduction to Tischner`s philosophy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. TISCHNER`S FOCUS
Philosophical Anthropology as the Main Thread of Tischner`s Work ALEKSANDER BOBKO
II. TISCHNER ON SOLIDARITY
Perspectives of the New Ethos of Work JÓZEF TISCHNER
The Ethics of Solidarity JÓZEF TISCHNER
The Ethics of Solidarity Years Later by JÓZEF TISCHNER
III. ON SOLIDARITY: ARTICLES, COMMENTARIES, POLEMICS
Several Reflections on the Theme of Solidarity CHARLES TAYLOR
Solidarity and Barbarity CHANTAL MILLON-DELSOL
On Solidarity Somewhat Theologically JACEK SALIJ
Solidarity Without Solidarity DOBROSŁAW KOT
The Solidarity Community: A Phenomenological Analysis ADAM WORKOWSKI
August 1980 in Light of the Republican Tradition DARIUSZ GAWIN
"Solidarity" as Church DARIUSZ KARŁOWICZ
Solidarity Means a Bond ZBIGNIEW STAWROWSKI
IV. TISCHNER INSTITUTE RECOMMENDS
Fundamental Faith KAROL TARNOWSKI
The Tischner Institute Journal of Philosophy
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