STANISŁAW GAŁKOWSKI, The human dynamism according to Mieczysław Albert Krąpiec

SUMMARY

One of the more important motifs in the work of Krąpiec is a complementation of the classic philosophy of man with some tenets of the phenomenological analysis. This approach facilitates the understanding of what was not captured in the metaphysics (and ethics) of Aristotle, i.e. the distinctiveness and the uniqueness of a person and an adequate description of the dynamism of human existence.

Thus a man is a dynamic being, capable of transforming oneself and one’s environment in a creative manner. Human dynamism is a linchpin that brings together all the works of father Krąpiec. This dynamic is uncovered by Krąpiec in many of its external manifestations, such as culture or the social and political life, as well as in the inner moral life and the development of man.

The experience of human dynamism and the rational consideration of its nature enables one to understand oneself and one’s position in the surrounding world. This approach offers an intellectual framework enabling the unification into a consistent whole of the substantial nature of man and the subjectivity of man. Therefore the notion of dynamism can be looked upon as one of the keystones bringing together the extensive work of Krąpiec. Also it can be viewed as one of his contributions in the development of the classic philosophy. Naturally his prolific work could not be reduced to merely one formula, however, this particular perspective will help us better understand the philosophical output of Krąpiec.