“I have always wondered why there are philosophers, and what it is we might think to accomplish in pursuing philosophy. I wonder in particular if the essential indefiniteness in the choice to pursue what matters most – philosophy – is the secret that we must each hide within ourselves and not expose to the light of day for fear that its trembling might suddenly cease.”
Nicolas de Warren’s “A Momentary Breathlessness in the Sadness of Time: On Krzysztof Michalski’s Nietzsche” presents an intimate exploration of this question in Nietzsche’s thinking and its singular interpretation in the Polish philosopher Krzysztof Michalski’s “The Flame of Eternity”. On 11 October, 6 pm, publishing house “Jonas ir Jokūbas” and Kaunas Artists’ House is pleased to invite you to the presentation of this book and the works of philosopher Krzysztof Michalski, as discussed and presented by Nicolas de Warren and philosopher Witold Płotka.
In both of these thinkers, philosophical thought is born from the sadness of time in its pursuit of eternity. Through a searching discussion of major themes in Nietzsche’s writings, de Warren tracks and elaborates Michalski’s interpretation of Zarathustra, the death of God, the thought of the eternal recurrence, metaphors in thinking, the Will to Power, and the challenge of nihilism. As a contribution to an understanding of Nietzsche’s thinking as reflected in the prism of Michalski’s work as well as an understanding of Michalski’s thinking as reflected in the prism of Nietzsche works, A Momentary Breathlessness in the Sadness of Time is equally a philosophical testament to a life in thinking and its gratitude towards a teacher, whose generosity can only be repaid in discovering for oneself a breathless moment of parting.
This event is a part of a series that follow the establishing of the KAH infocentre. The Cultural Information Centre (Infocentre) of KAH is a new platform launched dedicated to the dissemination and coordination of cultural events and art information in Kaunas city. In accordance with the cultural strategy of Kaunas city, the activities of the Infocentre are focused not only on encouraging the city’s residents’ and guests’ involvement and interest in the cultural and creative industries of Kaunas city and region, but also on improving the communication between local cultural professionals, facilitating the exchange of experience and resources.
This event will be held in English.
Nicolas De Warren is Professor of Philosophy at Penn State. He is the author of Husserl and the Promise of Time (2009) and numerous articles, including, most recently, ‘Miracles of Creation: Bergson and Levinas’ and ‘Homecoming: Jan Patocka’s Reflections on the First World War.’ He is also co-editor of Contributions to Phenomenology book series. Professor de Warren has graduated with his Ph.D. from Boston University in 2001.
Witold Płotka is Associate Professor at the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw. In 2009 he gained his Ph.D. at the University of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński in Warsaw for his Ph.D. thesis “The Logos of Phenomenology. The Problem of Reason in Edmund Husserl’s Freiburg Years”. He was published in “Przegląd Filozoficzny. Nowa Seria”, “Fenomenologia”, “Ruch Filozoficzny”, “Rocznik Kognitywistyczny”, “Filo-sofija”, in “Bulletin d’analyse phénoménologique”, and in the “Phenomenological Inquiry”. He published also in the “Analecta Husserliana” book series, published by Springer.
Krzysztof Michalski was born in Warsaw. He studied philosophy at the University of Warsaw, where he received his Ph.D. in 1974 with a thesis on ‘Heidegger and Contemporary Philosophy’. In 1986, he was habilitated for Philosophy at the University of Warsaw with the study ‘Logic and Time’. Since 1986, Michalski taught philosophy at Boston University, since 1994 also at the University of Warsaw.
In 1982, he founded the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, of which he was the rector. The Institute is an independent institute for advanced study in the humanities and social sciences. Since its foundation in 1982, it has promoted intellectual exchange between East and West, between academia and society, and between a variety of disciplines and schools of thought.
Michalski died on February 10, 2013, aged 64, in Vienna.
More information about the KAH Infocentre: https://kmn.lt/en/infocentre/about/and at KMN kultūros informacijos centras Facebook group.
This event is presented by “Jonas ir Jokūbas“ publishing house.
