W obronie tradycji. Znaczenie tradycji w filozofii Erazma z Rotterdamu i jej obrona przed krytyką Reformacji
In Defense of Tradition. The Meaning of Tradition in the Philosophy of Erasmus of Rotterdam and Its Defense against Reformational Criticism

Author(s): Dawid Nowakowski
Subject(s): Philosophy, Social Sciences, History of Philosophy, Sociology
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: humanistic tradition; humanism; scholasticism; Robert Gaguin; Erasmus of Rotterdam; hermeneutics
Summary/Abstract: According to Erasmus, philosophizing begins with listening to the flowing message of tradition, with meditative reading of soul-stirring content or with gazing at the ideal of a master and allowing ourselves to internalize what we have received. This was the aim of Erasmus’s “new reading,” through which he wanted to transform the individual; this was the goal of the bonae litterae, for which he had so passionately sought; this was also the purpose of the Christian Gospel. This stage, built by teaching alone, can be called “internalization of tradition” – a change of mind that is necessary for anyone who wants to change their lives. The publication is primarily devoted to Erasmus – an underestimated thinker unjustly pushed by reflection to an area outside of philosophy. Meanwhile, his vision turns out not only to be a coherent philosophy, but also one that is more aware of itself and its limitations than the philosophical concepts of scholasticism and modern rationalism. Tradition is the key concept that permeates and conditions the thinking and attitude of Erasmus. Whether his vision of tradition can still be seen as fully valid is debatable, and certainly requires further analysis. However, there is no doubt that it remains attractive and inspiring. It is the author’s wish that the present book could be a kind of “user guide to tradition”, but also to ourselves and to cultivating humanity. “This is not a colourless, erudite dissertation on a chosen topic. This is an interesting, even fascinating read, which in my opinion – thanks to its scope, poetics and style – has a chance to become the subject of interest for a great many readers.” From the review by prof. Juliusz Domański

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