Oblężenie : metafora i diagnoza

Abstract

This text is an introduction to issues examined by authors of this monograph. Its inspiration came from the 1985 lecture by Jerzy Kwiatkowski entitled “Polski archetyp oblężenia” (Polish Besetment Archetype). The critic described besetment as both permanent and natural state of the Polish consciousness. The consequences of remaining in the state of both literal and mental besetment have been frequently described in literature. M. Krakowiak underlines the fact that the book considers many aspects of this besetment — psychological, sociological, and ethical. She also indicates that thepatterns of remaining in the state of besetment and of besieging are great theoretical models for describing various individual and group behaviors.