Comments on: Leszek Kolakowski, RIP

By: William M. Briggs, Statistician & Consultant » Leszek Kolakowski is dead

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:03:23 +0000

[...] Roger Kimball we learn that the fascinating Polish philosopher has died. Kolakowski was probably best know for [...]

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:24:51 +0000

Kolakowski, a name to be uttered in the same breath as Koestler(with whom I am more familiar); both of these giants essentially dismantled the ideological and utopian fantasy that make up Marxism.

Honorable mention to Orwell, but I just don’t believe Orwell ever had the ability that K, K and Zamyatin (“A Soviet Heretic”) show us.

By: Polish Anti-Authoritaran Leszek Kolakowski Passes On « The New Centrist

Polish Anti-Authoritaran Leszek Kolakowski Passes On « The New Centrist — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:04:08 +0000

[...] Roger Kimball’s obit at Pajamas Media [...]

By: Kulak

Kulak — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:28:51 +0000

“A disproportionate focus on Poland…” Well, if (eventual) The Fall of Soviet Communism were imagined as a Clint Eastwood western on AMC, Poland is where Clint dynamited the trestle.

By: John

John — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:16:28 +0000

RIP MR.Kolakowski!!!!!!!!

God bless Him!

By: Poison Arrow

Poison Arrow — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:15:45 +0000

Main Currents of Marxism is an important work, sure, but it has a disproportionate focus on Poland, along with some major gaps.

By: LOLLIPOP

LOLLIPOP — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:17:54 +0000

“Heraclitus was sometimes called ‘The Weeping Philosopher’, possibly because he often lamented human stupidity” L. Kolakowski
——————————-

So begins L.K’s second essay in his inimitable small book “Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing”, a collection of short yet incisive historical/philosophical pieces.

I mention it because, for those (of us) who travel frequently, it makes an excellent travelling companion due not only to its content but also because of its portable size.

It beats anything you could pick up at your local airport bookstore where the fare is likely to be more suited to those for whom L.K’s above comment is most apposite.

++R.I.P Walter Cronkite++

By: Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:16:35 +0000

“The Main Currents of Marxism” is a great and penetrating work. Nobody else summarizes so well so many of Marxism’s Hydra heads.

Farewell, voyager.

By: Ed Hagenstein

Ed Hagenstein — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:58:52 +0000

I agree about his wit. His book Modernity on Endless Trial included a piece called “A General Theory of Not Gardening” that I thought was just about the funniest thing ever.