Intelektualiści w sferze publicznej: konteksty niemieckie

Abstrakt

Intellectuals in the public sphere: German contexts

The article deals with intellectuals’ identity discourse. On the basis of the German example I demonstrate how the presence of intellectuals in the public sphere is possible and how it may be meaningful. It is assumed that the sphere should be strong, open to the languages/discourses of the humanities, especially of philosophy with its still alive enlightenment tradition. I discuss, among others, Jürgen Habermas’s concept of “constitutional patriotism” [Verfassungspatriotismus], and analyse selected press texts concerning the so-called refugee problem [Flüchtlingskrise]. Throughout the paper I stress that intellectuals assume that social practice “absorbs” theory, and I demonstrate how their criticisms originate, and how their interventions undergo moral, civil and methodological evaluations. In my conclusion I argue that intellectuals’ contribution to the public debate in Germany is of paramount importance to the life of the republic. They are teaching professionals and/or whistle blowers uncovering the constructive character of cultural texts with the hope of “producing” recipients who are able to overcome them.