Filosofija ir civilizacijos
Philosophy and Civilizations

Summary/Abstract: This essay discusses the question of philosophy in Vytautas Kavolis’ sociology. To be more specific, the question in consideration is whether and in what sense Kavolis can be viewed as “Lithuanian Socrates”. Methodological diversity of Kavolis’ analysis of civilizations shows that he had no intention to attach himself to any particular theory. For Kavolis, every theory was too narrow and too broad, because he saw the danger of reduction of the researched phenomena or that of neglect of their connections. Such attitude enabled Kavolis to leave space for a rich diversity of his own and other civilizations. For Kavolis, theories of civilizations were employed as a source of insights for his own theoretical discussions, but not as a means of creating a new theory. Similar aspect can be found in his concern about liberalism, which for him is not a theory but an “agonistic” space of creation for all temporary cultural formations. Finally, with reference to personal contact, an attention to particularity, to the individual and his/her creativity is shown in this essay as a fundamental living attitude of Kavolis.

• Details
• Contents