Treading the path to Leszek Kołakowski's metaphysics

Abstract

Leszek Kołakowski was one of the Polish philosophers who resolutely and passionately pursued a life of metaphysical thinking. According to Barbara Skarga, one of Kołakowski's greatest accomplishments was that he succeeded in deconstructing metaphysics and exposing its unwarranted simplifications (B. Skarga, Sceptycyzm metafizyką podszyty (Skepticism Underpinned by Metaphysics) Tygodnik Powszechny 43/2002). Kołakowski's ultimate stance on metaphysics is difficult to reconstruct. Firstly, he was a proponent of "vacillating skepticism" which is not a research method that leads to unequivocal conclusions. Secondly, the fact that Kołakowski presented his intellectual insights in the form of essays poses a certain difficulty. However, as noted by readers of his works, Kołakowski was always guided by intellectual honesty, and the vastness of his analyses is captivating and has fascinating implications. This article attempts to follow Leszek Kołakowski's path of metaphysical thought, with special emphasis on this two works: Horror metaphysicus and Obecność mitu (Presence of Myth).