New Humanism of John Paul II as a Prospect for Contemporary School and Educational Reality

Abstract

Lack of a bright concept of a human being is characteristic of contemporary social life – including education. Social practice indicates that the most frequently accepted ideal is that of a man with numerous competences and qualifications useful on the labour market. Nevertheless, that kind of a man is not interested in spiritual development, conscious choice of values, reflection on the point and way of life. The effect – egoism, fighting for position, susceptibility for manipulation, consumption motivation. The author reviews and analyses “new humanism” – a programme introduced by John Paul II as an answer to the condition of contemporary culture. John Paul II emphasized the need of differentiating new humanism from humanism as a more general and casual keyword at present. “New humanism” combines personalistic anthropology and Christian humanism. The text is finished with a fragment dedicated to the way of explaining “new humanism” by John Paul II and conclusions for educational practice deriving from it.