Žít v různých světech
To live in different worlds

Summary/Abstract: In times of world collapse, individuals are left to confront their dual nature, both angelic and demonic. The extraordinary Ukrainian linguist and literary critic Jurij Šerech-Ševeľov recounts a wartime episode where, despite lacking proper documentation, he received unexpected help from a young, naive Viennese policeman. This act of kindness, defying both wartime and peacetime logic, highlights the profound human capacity for compassion amidst chaos. Similarly, Russian philosopher Fjodor Stepun viewed the Bolshevik revolution as a demonic imitation of good, reflecting on the monumental yet misguided efforts of Lenin. Both Šerech and Stepun, along with many others, experienced the dramatic shifts of their times, witnessing the death of old worlds and the birth of new ones. These periods of upheaval, while causing personal suffering, also fostered intellectual and spiritual growth. Living through multiple epochs, from the Soviet Union's collapse to the rise of new democracies, has given Ukrainians a unique perspective on the multiplicity of worlds. This experience contrasts with the more stable lives of those in wealthier nations, who may understand different worlds intellectually but not experientially. The tension between different worlds within a single lifetime can spark new ideas and innovations, as true understanding often arises from the cracks between established systems.

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