Ivano Illicho Idéjų Archeologija
Ivan Illich’s Archeology of Ideas

Summary/Abstract: The intellectual map of the schools of thought and key thinkers of XXth century so remains somewhat bleak in Lithuanian academic discourses. The penetrating, unconventional critique of Western institutions developed by Ivan Illich throughout several decades of the last century for a number of reasons remains largely unknown in Lithuanian academic culture. This article is one of the first attempts to present an overview of his archaeology of ideas and to trace the main shifts in his intellectual life. The article also analyses the sources and background of his arguments and reconsiders his impact on the critique of modernity’s institutions from a deep historical perspective. It is suggested that his personal biography is a key importance in trying to understand in what contexts his ideas took form. The first part of the study is a general biocritical overview of his life, personality and most essential works, with an emphasis on the main stages of his intellectual endeavour. The second part is directed toward the analysis of his critique of Western institutions and modern systems: school, transportation, health care. The later shift toward historical studies of concepts is reconsidered in the context of his life-long research interests.

• Details
• Contents