The ethos of the Polish people in Stanisław Olejnik’s view

Abstract

Stanisław Olejnik describes the ethos of the Polish people. He does not focus only on the positive side, on what is good, but also shows the flaws of our countrymen. In the publication "Etos Narodu u schyłku XX wieku" ["The ethos of the nation at the end of the twentieth century"], Father Olejnik draws attention to the existing problem of emigration, mainly due to financial reasons. As flaws, he also mentions recklessness, carelessness, lack of perseverance, disrespect for work, alcoholism, dishonesty, self-admiration, envy, tendency to engage in disputes. He describes atheism coming from the West as a threat to the ethos of the Poles. Other threats include homicides, thefts, assaults with arms, killing unborn children as well as all kinds of threats connected to mass entertainment: sex, eroticism, which is understood as love and placed above the family. The valuable features of our nation, according to Olejnik, are, first of all, patriotism, kindness, Polish hospitality and idealism, love of one's neighbour manifesting itself mainly towards those suffering, persecuted and harmed by fate. Values play an important role in the existence of every nation. Unfortunately, they are disappearing and losing their significance.