{"title":"Leszek Kolakowski","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeszek Kołakowski\u003c\/strong\u003e offers profound explorations into the intersections of \u003cem\u003epolitics\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ephilosophy\u003c\/em\u003e, challenging conventional thought through rigorous analysis. His works delve into the history and critique of Marxism, as well as the complexities of metaphysical inquiry, making him essential reading for those engaged with political theory and philosophical reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKołakowski’s writing is marked by a deep intellectual curiosity and a commitment to examining belief systems with clarity and scepticism. His books provoke thought on ideology, consciousness, and the human condition, appealing to readers interested in the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary and historical political ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"metaphysical-horror-by-leszek-kolakowski-9780226450551","title":"Metaphysical Horror","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor over a century, philosophers have argued that philosophy is impossible or useless, or both. Although the basic notion dates back to the days of Socrates, there is still heated disagreement about the nature of truth, reality, knowledge, the good, and God. This may make little practical difference to our lives, but it leaves us with a feeling of radical uncertainty, a feeling described by Kolakowski as \u003cem\u003emetaphysical horror\u003c\/em\u003e. \"The horror is this,\" he says, \"if nothing truly exists except the Absolute, the Absolute is nothing; if nothing truly exists except myself, I am nothing.\" The aim of this book, for Kolakowski, is finding a way out of this seeming dead end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn a trenchant analysis that serves as an introduction to nearly all of Western philosophy, Kolakowski confronts these dilemmas head on through examinations of several prominent philosophers including Descartes, Spinoza, Husserl, and many of the Neo-Platonists. He finds that philosophy may not provide definitive answers to the fundamental questions, yet the quest itself transforms our lives. It may undermine most of our certainties, yet it still leaves room for our spiritual yearnings and religious beliefs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe final sentence of the book captures the hopefulness that has survived the horror of nothingness when Kolakowski asks: \"Is it not reasonable to suspect that if existence were pointless and the universe devoid of meaning, we would never have achieved not only the ability to imagine otherwise, but even the ability to entertain this very thought—to wit, that existence is pointless and the universe devoid of meaning?\" The answer, of course, is clear. Now it is up to readers to take up the challenge of his arguments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000682954988,"sku":"9780226450551","price":43.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/16733793482268.jpg?v=1763296524"},{"product_id":"main-currents-of-marxism-by-leszek-kolakowski-9780393329438","title":"Main Currents of Marxism","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeszek Kolakowski's masterpiece, one of the twentieth century's most important books—for the first time in a one-volume paperback.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRenowned philosopher Leszek Kolakowski was one of the first scholars to reveal both the shortcomings and the dangers posed by communist regimes. He presents, for the first time in one paperback volume, his definitive \u003cem\u003eMain Currents of Marxism\u003c\/em\u003e: described by the Library of Congress as \"a prophetic work\" that provides \"the most lucid and comprehensive history of the origins, structure, and posthumous development of the system of thought that had the greatest impact on the 20th century.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47463523877100,"sku":"9780393329438","price":85.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780393329438-main-currents-of-marxism.jpg?v=1775034007"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/leszek-kolakowski.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}