Man’s Participation in the World: Wojtyła—Rorty

Władysław ZUZIAK

Faculty of Philosophy, Pontifical University of John Paul II, ul. Kanonicza 9/203, 31-002 Cracow, Poland , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0483-0533

Barbara ŻMUDA-FRYDRYCHOWSKA

Faculty of Philosophy, Pontifical University of John Paul II, ul. Kanonicza 9/203, 31-002 Cracow, Poland , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9383-6090

Abstract

The paper presents two diametrically different approaches to the world and man, based on opposite ontological and anthropological assumptions. However, these have some common points that allow them to be compared and show the strengths and weaknesses (theoretical and practical) of both proposals. Common assumptions in the axiological sphere include, among others, the communal “nature” of man, the sensitivity of both philosophers to suffering, and their proposals how to reduce the scale of this phenomenon. Wojtyła attempts to save the traditional Thomistic theory, which seems resistant to the changing reality, and criticizes the modernist designs of the world. He also emphasizes that the act is what reveals the essence of the human being as a person. New approaches to his dynamic thought on man in the world have resulted, among others, in the emergence of the solidarity movement. Rorty, who also criticizes modernist projects, is more radical. His aim is to eliminate thinking about truth as being in conformity with reality and to remove the oppositions between subject and object as well as objective and subjective. According to him, the only important criterion is the criterion of utility. However, it is worth noting that this is not an instrumental and egoistic pragmatism, because it would be difficult to justify in this trend how sensitivity to the suffering of others can be useful for a person. Moreover, we try to show that Rorty’ proposal is limited to the pragmatic dimension, aimed at maintaining the status quo of American democracy, while Wojtyła’s thought (referring to transcendence) is aimed at shaping human beings who are perfecting themselves, heroic, and going beyond their internal and external limitations.

Keywords:

Karol Wojtyła, Richard Rorty, participation, axiology, sensitivity