In Search of New Concepts. The Challenges of the Modern Humanities in the Pedagogical Focus. On Lech Witkowski’s Philosophical Works

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of the scientific work of the prominent Polish philosopher, cultural critic, sociologist, and educator Lech Witkowski in the field of modern humanities, application of hermeneutics, critical reflection, and anthropology, including: (1) scientific reflections on the integration of the humanities and social sciences, the findings of the humanities as applied to pedagogy; several conceptual ideas of pedagogy viewed in their relation to philosophy and culture; (2) criticism against dualism towards bipolarity (unifying duality); (3) important aspects of cultural ecology, tradition, and their implications for education; (4) the concept of the “explosive effect” of reading in the humanities and its dynamics; (5) the phenomenon of identity through various perspectives, (6) shedding light on the difficulties concerning the effectiveness of modern scientific research and education. The fundamental concepts of the contemporary humanities are, according to Witkowski, interpreted through such categories as ambivalence, duality, irony, tradition, identity, and others, taking into consideration the extent of ethical and cognitive distancing, as well as the analytical and critical approach to the study of scientific texts.

Keywords

• modern humanities
• hermeneutic circle
• anti-positivist breakthrough
• critical pedagogy
• cultural ecology
• interdisciplinarity