Polish Renaissance Philosophy

Abstract

During the period of Renaissance in Poland (fifteenth–sixteenth century) there was a considerable development of learning that expressed itself especially in natural and political philosophy. At the University of Krakow, there was a shift from the Aristotelian approach to the study of nature to new methodologies. The university became well known as a center of astronomical studies. Nicolaus Copernicus studied in Krakow and then in Bologna and Padua. The result of his scholarly activities was his work De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (1543), in which he presented the heliocentric model of the solar system and by which he significantly contributed to the Scientific Revolution and to the development of modern science. Political philosophy, which developed in Poland at that time, had also many outstanding representatives and contributed to the country’s distinct national character. Polish political philosophers emphasized the unity between politics and ethics. The stress on national independence, clearly evident in Ostrorog’s writings, has become a part of Poland’s lasting heritage. Another political philosopher, Modrzewski argued that in order to improve conditions in any country it was essential first to improve citizens’ morals. Goslicki emphasized the value of ancestral virtues and traditions, and claimed that because of cultural differences between nations, different countries could be governed by different laws. Gornicki tried to identify problems in Poland’s political system and to propose solutions. He and other Renaissance philosophers that we introduce are perhaps the most distinguished thinkers of that period, who, coming from Poland and being educated abroad, especially in Italy, synthesized Polish and European learning and expressed this in their works.