Wilhelma Feldmana obraz dziejów polskiej myśli politycznej

Abstract

Already the contemporaries of the Editor of Cracovian “Critique” (“Krytyka”) acknowledged the paramount significance of his synthesis of the post-partition history of Polish political thought to educational and social goals. They advanced its permanent and indispensable presence in Polish historiography and culture, as it was the first work among the Polish historical writings that concerned the history of political ideas. Its author thus became the precursor of research in the history of political thought in Poland and in Europe. Despite the fact that he gave his historiographical work strictly practical-political functions, it has stood the test of time and still serves not only as an important source of information about the Polish past, but also as a model of research procedures and historiographical studies in the subject of history of political ideas. Certainly, various charges might be put against the author, especially those of bias, subjectivity, fragmentariness or even tendentiousness in the presented view of the Polish political thought of the post-partition era. Yet, it is impossible not to acknowledge his intellectual effort in justifying those political concepts and ideas the realization of which also meant the realization of dreams and aspirations of a few generations of Poles – the restoration of the Polish state. Therefore Wilhelm Feldman’s lasting merit is showing – in a synthetic reading of the modern history of Polish political thought, in its social and historical aspects – the importance of impartial action and service to the public causes.