EN
The following sketch outlines the problem of the philosophical context of Lem’s conception of cognition. The selected Lem’s texts interpreted below are, in my opinion, manifestations of modern condition. This condition is involved in a specific philosophical context, namely in a modern version of the ,,Exodus motif”. Examining Lem’s ,,exodus project” or ,,project of contact” it is not difficult to notice its essential coincidence with the myth of Exodus in Enlightenment and modern version, the key characteristic of which was presented by Agata Bielik-Robson. From her perspective, the culture of will, which is realized in our time under the decadent aegis of culture of complaint, demands that it should be reality that gets to ,,emancipation claims of an individual”. This change of the current condition, which has the nature of ,,exodus”, is tantamount to the project of improving existence, precisely adjusted to enlightened, rational individuals. The project in question undoubtedly stems from Lem’s first essayistic texts – Dialogs and Summa Technologiae. It is a heterogeneous project that is constantly changing in the course of time. It could be said that its metamorphosis goes from Kant’s Ausgang – which is in Lem’s works identical to a deep conviction that the modern will is able to update reality (it is the conviction of subjectivity of Dialogs and Summa technologiae and easiness that accompanies the process of writing of ‘anticipating’ literature) – to postmodernistic Transgression that falls outside existence because it is related to ,,atrophied will”, ,,’unwillingness’ full of Manichean aversion to what already exists”. The latter stage is identical to a move visible in the late writing of Lem, e.g. in Sex Wars. However, it is also visible in Lem’s decision to end his literary work. In this context the selected Lem’s texts are interpreted in the article.