Modernity on Endless Trial

Leszek Kolakowski

University of Chicago Press, Mar 19, 1991 - Philosophy - 267 pages

Leszek Kolakowski delves into some of the most intellectually vigorous questions of our time in this remarkable collection of essays garnished with his characteristic wit. Ten of the essays have never appeared before in English.

"Exemplary. . . . It should be celebrated." —Arthur C. Danto, New York Times Book Review

"This book . . . express[es] Kolakowski's thought on God, man, reason, history, moral truth and original sin, prompted by observation of the dramatic struggle among Christianity, the Enlightenment and modern totalitarianism. It is a wonderful collection of topics." —Thomas Nagel, Times Literary Supplement

"No better antidote to bumper-sticker thinking exists than this collection of 24 'appeals for moderation in consistency,' and never has such an antidote been needed more than it is now." —Joseph Coates, Chicago Tribune

"Whether learned or humorous, these essays offer gems in prose of diamond hardness, precision, and brilliance." —Thomas D'Evelyn, The Christian Science Monitor

A "Notable Books of the Year 1991" selection, New York Times Book Review—a "Noted with Pleasure" selection, New York Times Book Review—a "Summer Reading 1991" selection, New York Times Book Review—a "Books of the Year" selection, The Times.

About the author

Leszek Kolakowski (1927-2009) was professor of philosophy at the University of Warsaw until the Polish political crisis of March 1968 when he was formally expelled. Henbsp;then moved to universities innbsp;North America and the United Kingdom.nbsp;From 1981 to 1994 he was a professor in the Committee on Social Thought andnbsp;the department of philosophy at the University of Chicago. He is best known for his critical analyses of Marxist thought, especially his three-volume history, Main Currents of Marxism (1976). In his later work, he increasingly focused on philosophical and religious questions. He was the author of numerous books. nbsp;

Bibliographic information

• Title: Modernity on Endless Trial
• Author: Leszek Kolakowski
• Translated by: Stefan Czerniawski, Wolfgang Freis, Agnieszka Kolakowska
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 1991
• ISBN: 0226450457, 9780226450452
• Length: 267 pages
• Subjects: History / Modern / 20th Century; Philosophy / General; Social Science / General; Social Science / Sociology / General