„Hardzi miedzy prostaki, że nic nie umiemy”. Kochanowski w pułapce sceptycyzmu

Abstract

JACEK SOKOLSKI University of Wrocław “HARDZI MIEDZY PROSTAKI, ŻE NIC NIE UMIEMY [WE, IN OUR ARROGANCE, PRETEND TO HIGHER FACULTIES]” KOCHANOWSKI IN THE TRAP OF SCEPTICISM The subject of the article is a detailed analysis of the second part of Jan Kochanowski’s Tren XI (Lament XI). Contrary to the so far acceptable opinions expressed by former researchers, the poet in the piece by no means mocks the pride of men who persistently attempt to climb to heaven and spy on the Creator’s secrets, but conversely, he claims the stance of the ancient sceptics referring to the saying “I know that I know nothing” attributed to Socrates to be manifestation of pride and testimony of wisdom of those who credit that a man is unable to pronounce any judgement on the surrounding reality.