Witkacy and Conspiracy Theories

• Authors: Gerould Daniel
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

In this article the author takes an historical overview of conspiracy theories and how they have been paraded in the work of Witkacy. They have been with us at least since the time of Ancient Rome, connected both with the Christians and Jews. The author argues that they have been used to explain historical events, especially at times of crisis, social change and upheaval, when nations, social groups, and individuals have felt threatened by inexplicable disasters and perils. Conspiratorial thinking detects labyrinthine plots and finds individuals or groups that can be held responsible for menacing social changes. They have clearly influenced Witkacy’s work. It is argued that the lonely protagonist is confronted by encroaching realms of otherness, ‘concentric circles of constraint and encroachment’ in the form of the cosmos, political and social order, family, and even the self.

Keywords

EN

conspiracy theories; Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz; Witkacy; historical events; conspiratorial thinking; Witkacy’s work

• Publisher: Instytut Filozofii - Uniwersytet Jagielloński
• Journal: Estetyka i Krytyka
• Year: 2013
• Issue: 4(31)
• Pages: 59-71

Dates

published

2013

Contributors

author

Gerould Daniel

• City University of New York

Identifiers

ISSN

1643-1243