„Infans solus” – osobno, choć razem

Abstract

The paper describes the problem of social bonds of children: when they need the others so much, and when they are lonely in their own world of fantasies, hopes, dreams and fears. The relations between parents and children is discussed in the light of science ethology, involving such well known authors as Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Konrad Lorenz and Vitus B. Droescher; in the field of sociology: Daniel Riesman, Jürgen Habermas, Abraham Maslow, Jerzy Szacki; theory of games: Roger Caillois; psychology: Józef Kozielecki, Kazimierz Dąbrowski, Aleksander Kępiński, Rüdiger Rogoll; and philosophy: Leszek Kołakowski, Neil Postman, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Zygmunt Bauman. The last part presents the phenomenon of childhood as a metaphor of utopia – a dream of the future and illusion to be grown up (Janusz Korczak). The whole paper consists of five parts: 1. The Lonely Crowd, 2. The Word as a Source of Fear, 3. Ethology of Aggression, 4. Suffering and Fear of Loneliness, 5. When I’ll become little again?