Positivistic Liberalism – Two Ways of Thinking (Prus – Świętochowski) Cover Image

Liberalizm pozytywistyczny – dwie drogi myśli (Prus – Świętochowski)
Positivistic Liberalism – Two Ways of Thinking (Prus – Świętochowski)

Author(s): Maciej Gloger
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: Bolesław Prus; Aleksander Świętochowski; positivism; liberalism; John Stuart Mill

Summary/Abstract: In the epoch of Polish positivism liberalism is a very complicated and antynomical phenomenon. Studies of positivistic liberalism have not described yet all the aspects of the issue and, on the other hand, have formed a few stereotypes. The article characterizes the liberal attitude taken by two leading representatives of positivism in Poland: Aleksander Świętochowski and Bolesław Prus. Their different journalist strategies were inspired by the same work written by John Stuart Mill, On Liberty. Under the influence of Mill's thought Prus created a model of ethical liberalism. Świętochowski was an aristocratic liberal. The description of two models of liberalism formed by the two Polish positivists is a continuation of the interpretations of Mill's social philosophy by Alan S. Kahan (aristocratic liberalism) and Morice Cowling.

  • Issue Year: 53/2005
  • Issue No: 01
  • Page Range: 23-50
  • Page Count: 28
  • Language: Polish
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