Ethos. Kwartalnik Instytutu Jana Pawła II KUL

Returning to the Sources: The Heritage of Karol Wojtyła—John Paul II and the Challenges Posed by the Contemporary World

Rocco Buttiglione — 2026-03-30

The article presents a reflection on the aspects of the intellectual and moral heritage of Karol Wojtyła — John Paul II which remain relevant twenty years after his demise and help identify the ways to overcome contemporary crises. In this context, the author claims that the vocation of the Church today is not to defend the old social order, but to build afresh the true moral order. Thus the first theme addressed in the paper is the mystery of Redemption and the person of Jesus Christ whose living presence the author considers as the foundation for such an order. The second source of inspiration in resolving the crisis is, in author’s view, the philosophical and theological concept of man developed by Karol Wojtyła — John Paul II and his teaching on love, marriage, and family, while the Pope’s reflection on Europe based on culture rooted in Christianity is indicated as the third possible area relevant to the contemporary world. The author believes, however, that the key role in facing contemporary challenges will be played not by intellectuals or politicians, but by witnesses capable of making what they recognized as truth live in the hearts of others.

Human Subjectivity and Christian Faith in the Thought of Karol Wojtyła

Giovanni Salmeri — 2026-03-30

The idea of interiority was greatly downplayed in Christian theology during the twentieth century. This was due to several causes, among which there were a rediscovery of the eschatological character of the preaching of Jesus and the attribution of interiority to a religious dimension apparently diminishing in the modern world. The language of interiority thus appeared not only unsuitable, but sometimes even misleading. A scarcely known text by Karol Wojtyła, written in 1974, helps reopen the question: the paper describes interiority as the place par excellence of the divine presence. In this sense, interiority becomes an essential touchstone of evangelization, especially in the face of the challenges of the contemporary world that attempts to erase inner life. While such ideas are not frequent in Karol Wojtyła’s most famous philosophical and theological texts, they do appear clearly in his early poetic compositions. In an age in which threats to human identity are more subtle and widespread, clarifying the link between Christian faith and interiority becomes an even more important task.

Person and Act as an Open Work

Jarosław Merecki — 2026-03-30

The paper points to three themes that were not included or were only briefly mentioned in Karol Wojtyła’s work Person and Act, and which are worth developing further. The first of these themes is an analysis of the interpersonal dimension of a person’s existence, which Wojtyła analyzes as a social dimension in the fourth chapter of the work in question. It is symbolized by the pronoun “we,” but it is not strictly the same interpersonal dimension, which is expressed by the pronouns ‘I’ and “you.” Wojtyła develops this theme in his later essay, Person: Subject and Community. The second theme not addressed in Wojtyła’s work is the sexual dimension of the human person, the fact that persons exist as women and men, which is undoubtedly fundamental to the proper understanding of the human person. This fact was analyzed by John Paul II in a series of catechesis entitled Man and Woman He Created Them, where he developed a doctrine also known as “a theology of the body;” in the catecheses Wojtyła “crosses the threshold of theology.” This is the third theme absent from Person and Act due to the philosophical nature of this work. In the introduction to the first edition of this treatise, however, Wojtyła expressed his hope that he would one day be able to do so, and he fulfills this hope in his “theology of the body.”

Tadeusz Styczeń Reads Karol Wojtyła

Andrzej Szostek — 2026-03-30

The article focuses on Tadeusz Styczeń’s reading of the oeuvre of Karol Wojtyła, outlining three characteristic ways of Styczeń’s reception of the output of his teacher. Firstly, Styczeń’s reading of Wojtyła is marked by attention to detail and takes into consideration the entire context of a given text. Such an approach enables Styczeń to criticize the merely apparent or outwardly false personalism advanced by some philosophers. Secondly, Styczeń’s reading of Wojtyła is a critical one, which can be seen in his debate with Wojtyła on the relationship between philosophical anthropology and ethics. Thirdly, Styczeń’s reading of Wojtyła is creative. Wojtyła’s ideas inspire Styczeń to explore the significance of truth: should it be even banal in nature, it is so deeply binding to human freedom that acknowledging it is tantamount to self-realization, while refuting it leads to moral self-destruction.

Leadership and the Decision-Making Process: An Interdisciplinary Introduction to the Pontificate of John Paul II

Dominika Żukowska-Gardzińska — 2026-03-30

The problem addressed in the article is which of the models of leadership best describes John Paul II. The aim of the study is to answer the question whether the analysis of the Pope’s decision-making process makes it possible to reconstruct his manner of responding to dilemmas and choices and to propose it as a tool to support the development of contemporary leaders. In terms of leadership style, John Paul II embodies several well-known and defined models: servant, charismatic, transformational, authentic, and values-based. For the purpose of better diagnosing John Paul II’s leadership model, the author proposed the concept of integrity, but not as an indication of the unity between the person and their environment, but taking into account the entire complexity of the studied individual. The considerations must be interdisciplinary in nature, based on scholarly literature in the fields of management, political studies, and communication, but also theology, because it is impossible to analyse the leadership of Karol Wojtyła—John Paul II without including all the levels of integrity in the reflection. In the author’s opinion, to describe the nature of the Pope’s leadership, it is necessary to examine, in a broad context, the relationships between the facts of his life and the political and cultural situation at the time and today, and to develop a language that describes reality in the aspect of theology, as well as in that of management and political studies.

The University: A Gift and a Hope

Jan Pomorski — 2026-03-30

The author discusses the theme of the mission of the university as it can be reconstructed against the background of the teaching of John Paul II. The ego-narrative combines three testimonies, regarding, respectively, the conference on “Human Labor” of 1981, which coincided with the promulgation of the Encyclical Labaorem Exercens, the Jubilee of University Professors held in the Vatican in the Jubilee Year 2000, and the Higher Education for United Europe Congress of 2004, held in Lublin, which John Paul II addressed with a special message.

Towards the Reconstruction of a Presence: On the Intellectual Traces Karol Wojtyła—John Paul II Left in Lublin and the Inspiration He Found There

Andrzej Derdziuk — 2026-03-30

The article reconstructs the intellectual traces of Karol Wojtyła’s presence in Lublin, as well as the ways in which the milieu of the Catholic University of Lublin inspired his research work. The author discusses the reasons why Wojtyła frequently visited Lublin and characterizes the places where he would stay on those occasions, among them the clergy house in the campus, the Ursuline Convent House, and the Dominican Monastery. Simultaneously, his encounters with persons who then remained important to him throughout his life are described. An outline of Wojtyła’s twenty-four-year-long academic work at the Catholic University of Lublin follows, including the range of themes and issues he addressed in his lectures and classes, as well as the spiritual impact of his presence among the academic community. Based on his exchange of letters with Fr. Stanisław Olejnik, the circumstances in which Wojtyła began writing his primary philosophical works, i.e., Love and Responsibility and The Acting Person, are described with a focus on the intellectual influence of the Lublin School of Philosophy thinkers on the ultimate shape of those studies. The author also discusses the ways in which the Catholic University of Lublin has responded to the spiritual legacy of Karol Wojtyła: the works and actions undertaken to commemorate his academic as well as pastoral activity are recounted, and the contribution of particular scholars is evidenced.

Muzyczna biografia Karola Wojtyły: Sebastian Szymański’s Song Cycle in the Light of Polish Musical Works Dedicated to the Polish Pope

Marcin T. Łukaszewski — 2026-03-30

The subject-matter of the article is the song cycle entitled Muzyczna biografia Karola Wojtyły (The musical biography of Karol Wojtyła), a work by Sebastian Szymański, a middle generation Polish composer. The historical and problem contexts of Polish works devoted to the Polish Pope are also presented. The author addresses the following issues: the literature and the state of research on the subject, works by Polish composers inspired by the person, activity, or oeuvre of Karol Wojtyła — John Paul II, selected works by Polish composers inspired by John Paul II, and the title composition, i.e., Sebastian Szymański’s song cycle Muzyczna biografia Karola Wojtyły. The following scholarly methods were used in the research: comparative studies, elementary analysis, elements of descriptive statistics, and interview.

“If you want to find the source, you have to go up, against the current.” Karol Wojtyła—John Paul II and the Realm of Arts

Jacek Popiel — 2026-03-30

The author argues that a full understanding of the life and output of John Paul II is not conceivable unless one has studied his commitment to literary writing, his reception of works of literature, and his involvement in theater and art. Among the most characteristic aspects of the pontificate of John Paul II was that he introduced the Vatican to the universe of values which have permeated the Polish culture and, specifically, literature, the tradition which he himself had continued through his literary works and active involvement in theatrical productions. Literary works were important also in the case of the teachings of other popes, for instance, Paul VI and Francis confirmed, in their apostolic litters, the bond between the Church and the work of Dante Alighieri. The paper also addresses the themes of, respectively, the impact literary works had on Karol Wojtyła’s pursuit for the values which ultimately prompted his decision to enter the priesthood, and the contemporary reception of the person and accomplishments of John Paul II.

Wojtyła’s David: Lost or Found? Contextual Clues Toward Possible Solution of a Literary Mystery

Keith A. Houde — 2026-03-30

Scholarly consensus suggests that Karol Wojtyła (the future Pope John Paul II) wrote an early drama entitled David that has been lost to history. The primary source of information regarding this literary work comes from Wojtyła’s wartime correspondence with friend and mentor Mieczysław Kotlarczyk. Contextual clues, through closer reading of this correspondence, as well as textual clues, via study of an early collection of poetry by Wojtyła known as the Psalter of David, suggest an alternate interpretation. This literary mystery is explored through consideration of context, content, title, genre, form, history, provenance, style, themes, and meaning. Perhaps what had been lost as a drama has been found as a collection of dramatic poetry.

From Autobiographical Themes to the Idea of Beauty: Henryk Siemiardzki’s Idylls, as Compared to the Painting of the Second Half of the 19th Century

Barbara Ciciora — 2026-03-30

Henryk Siemiradzki filled his idylls—from the first painting he independently conceived and executed, i.e., Para przed domem (A Couple in front of the House), to his last works, e.g., Scena przy źródle (A Scene by the Spring Well), c1890; Nad brzegiem zatoki (On the Shore of the Bay), 1890; Pieszczoszek (Precious One), 1893—with motifs related to love in its different forms, such as youthful romantic love, as well as parental and family love, drawing inspiration from his own family life. As Siemiradzki’s children grew up, the mature painter no longer depicted little boys and changed the character of his works; he abandoned genre scenes for allegories (e.g., U źródła (At the Spring Well), 1898; Kobieta przy źródle (A Woman at the Spring Well), 1898; Wiosną (In Spring), 1899). Since mid-1850s, Siemiradzki created paintings with reduced composition and lacking a narrative, but imbued with slightly melancholy reflectiveness. This bears testimony to a change in his stylistic preferences from realism to estheticism; the then fifty-year old artist started his quest for the everlasting elements of human existence by attempting to capture earthly reflections of the idea of Beauty which, in itself, is independent of sense experience. Siemiradzki’s individual approach to painting, focused on his inquiry into ideal beauty, reflects the artist’s turn—mediated through the tradition of European art—towards classical Greek art which incorporated the idealistic philosophy of Platonism and Neoplatonism.

To Recognize the Promise

Patrycja Mikulska — 2026-03-30

Patience and Determination

Maciej Szymanowski — 2026-03-30

Review of A. Grajewski’s W dialogu i zwarciu: Stolica Apostolska wobec sowieckiego komunizmu 1917-1991, Warszawa and Wojnowice: Kolegium Europy Wschodniej, 2024.

Saving the Polish Literature of the 1980s

Krzysztof Dybciak — 2026-03-30

Review of M. Urbanowski’s Literatura stanu wojennego 1981-1989, Gdańsk: Instytut Dziedzictwa Solidarności, 2026.

Books recommended by Ethos

Patrycja Mikulska — 2026-03-30

Books recommended by Ethos: Quarterly of The John Paul II Institute, KUL: J. Wojtysiak, Autorytet, Warszawa and Poznań: Dominikańskie Centrum Informacji o Nowych Ruchach Religijnych i Sektach and Wydawnictwo W drodze, 2025.

A Home That Becomes an Atelier: The Impact of the Experience of Visiting Artists’ Studios on the Life and Creative Work of Karol Wojtyła—John Paul II

Małgorzata U. Mazurczak — 2026-03-30

The author of the essay traces the origins of Karol Wojtyła’s interest in fine arts, emphasizing the significance of the cultural atmosphere of his home and of the artistic circles of Wadowice and Cracow. She specifically describes young Wojtyła’s visits to various artists’ studios and the ways in which those visits are reflected in his own creative work.