The Selected Writings of Jan Patocka: Care for the Soul - Paperback

by Jan Patocka (Author), Erin Plunkett (Editor), Ivan Chvat?k (Editor)

Jan Patocka's contribution to phenomenology and the philosophy of history mean that he is considered one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century. Yet, his writing is not widely available in English and the Anglophone world remains rather unfamiliar with his work. In this new book of essential Patocka texts, of which the majority have been translated from the original Czech for the first time, readers will experience a general introduction to the key tenets of his philosophy. This includes his thoughts on the relationship between philosophy and political engagement which strike at the heart of contemporary debates about freedom, political participation and responsibility and a truly pressing issue for modern Europe, what exactly constitutes a European identity? In this important collection, Patocka provides an original vision of the relationship between self, world, and history that will benefit students, philosophers and those who are interested in the ideals that underpin our democracies.

Author Biography

Jan Patocka (1907-77) was a Czech philosopher. He specialised in phenomenonology and the philosophy of history and his works include Plato and Europe, which was a collection of his lectures and Heretical Essays in the Philosophy of History.

Erin Plunkett is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. She is currently researching the ontology and ethics of possibility in Kierkegaard and Jan Patocka. Her research interests are phenomenology, post-Kantian philosophy, Kierkegaard and existentialism, and the work of Stanley Cavell.