Problem trwałości zachodniej cywilizacji a perspektywa nowej wizji Europy. Stanowisko Bertholda Walda
The question of stability of Western civilization versus the perspective of the new vision of Europe. The view of Bethold Wald

Summary/Abstract: Under a common title, the article presents two key issues as seen by the renowned German philosopher Berthold Wald. 1. Maintenance of the identity of European civilization, conditional upon a living memory of its spiritual sources: faith and reason. In this respect, the message of the philosopher of Padeborn is echoed in the thought of such eminent thinkers as Habermas, Pieper, or Ratzinger. In contrast, for Metz, critically appraised by Wald, there is only one fundamental source of the Western European civilization: Jerusalem, which symbolizes faith. 2. The question of the so-called new vision of Europe is presented, created by its contemporary makers, namely politicians. The vision entails a threat to the identity of the European civilization inits original meaning since it suggests a farewell to Christianity and endorsement of values which have an ambivalent nature. This vision is heavily marked by impaired comprehensionof reality, including the reality of man and his nature. It is associated with Kantian thought; it overlaps with the theory of constructivism, and it ultimately leads to relativism. Finally,the vision has its underpinnings in multiculturalism and secularism. From a broader perspective, the article shows the question of multiculturalism, presented by Wald in general terms,and the question of the „soul” of Europe, as understood by Pieper. Also, the article further specifies the issue of the so-called new values, introduced into European legislation, and also demonstrates that they are essentially anti-values.

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