Geneza i tło społeczno-polityczne dyskusji o humanizmie socjalistycznym

Abstract

In the years 1946—1948 on the pages of different political and socio-literary magazines was held a discussion on the so-called socialistic humanism; the discussion pertained to the number of questions involving the construction of the fundamentals of socialism in Poland. The chief point of the controversion was the attitude toward different variations of Marxism, mutilating the sense of the fundamental, genuine theories of Karl Marx. Adherents of socialistic humanism, first of all, pointed at the necessity to eliminate two main deviations observable in the domain of Marx’s theory: vulgar economism and extreme revolutionism. The aim of this criticism was to raise the rank of a man in the theory and practice of the new society construction. The origin of socialistic humanism is interrelated with the tradition of numerous currents in the Polish Marxist conceptions. The direct origin of the intensification of humanistic concepts operating within the Marxist theory was, first of all, the shock evoked by brutality and cruelty of Nazism. The focus where new views were formed was a clandestine socialistic group „Płomienie” (acting in the years 1940—1945). The character and run of the post-war discussion was interrelated with the socio-political situation prevailing in Poland. Conditions favourable to the theoretical discussion arouse not earlier than end of the 1946/beginning of the 1947. Two elements were essential: disposition of the Polish Workers’ Party leaders who in the exchange of views perceived the chance to form a common standpoint acceptable to all democratic forces, as well as their well-disposed attitude toward the intellectuals, inclined to use their experience and faculty for the good of the country. The discussion, notwithstanding its appearance, was held within the party, the line of the division was drawn by the manner how Marxism was conceived and by the attitude toward dogmatism. Instant break of the discussion in the 1948 was caused by the unfavourable political changes which brought the suppression of all controversions in the workers movement.