RAFAŁ WOJACZEK’S “SICKNESS UNTO NON-EXISTENCE”

Abstract

The paper focuses upon the philosophical message rendered by Rafał Wojaczek’s poetry. The author regards the issue of non‑existence as the central theme of Wojaczek’s creative output, and analyses it in the context of existentialist philosophy, referring to Martin Heidegger’s concepts in particular. The following four aspects of the leading idea of non‑existence are identified and discussed in the article: non‑existence understood as death which not only constitutes everyone’s destiny but also validates individual life; non‑existence as nothingness which is disclosed in anxiety, with the retreat of being in its entirety; non‑existence as a blurred personal identity; and, finally, non‑existence as a condition of creativity. The unique form and style of this poetry are considered to play an essential role in conveying the metaphysical content.