ALL-ROUND WANDERINGS. ETHOS AND EPIPHANIES OF THE ABODE

Abstract

Purpose. To expose the ethos and epiphanies of “all-round wanderings”, i.e. deliberate microtravels in dwelling places. This concept is implication of the idea of a place as ethos, i.e. the axiosphere of the abode according to one of fontal senses the ancient Greeks assigned to ethos. The aura of genius loci values uncovers the epiphanic potential of the all-round world. Understood as such, ethos may become a premise to construct the ethics of travel in general, i.e. travel sensu stricto, world travel. A presentation inter alia, of Marc Augé’s concept of “non-places” serves as an introduction to these reflections. According to this concept, there is a decline of traditional places, sedentism, homedwelling and rootedness in the area of so-called “hypermodernity” which is marked by extraordinary human mobility, artifact transfers and diffusion of cultures. The main exit point of the presented article is the polemic thesis to such a view. The author advocates the attitude that the abode not only remains a persistent and indefeasible existential value in modern life but also possesses the wandering potential as a niche of micro-travels. Method. Literary criticism and philosophical analysis of journey essays by selected authors explicated with reference to the fundamental ontology of Martin Heidegger and the eidetic micro- philosophy of Stefan Symotiuk. Understanding the interpretation (hermeneutical) directed towards existential meanings, values and ideas, comparison, synthesis. Findings. Indication of some axiological components of the ethics of travel understood as a preserving of ethos, careful and responsible form of feeling at home en route into the world. Epiphanic experience from being „here and there”, in the area surrounding the abode and within the remote world may be a leeson of authentic and responsible feeling the reality in its details and vast perspective of geo-physical and cultural horizon of life. Research and conclusions limitations. The work is not empirical but analytical and descriptive. Practical implications. Ethics is practical knowledge from sources. Reconsidering the basics of ethics of travel and tourism in the context of dwelling, the world may form an interesting proposal for the ideological and axiological complement of existing ethical codes in tourism. Originality. The concept of non-oppositional understanding of the ideas regarding place and route, dwelling and travel mobility. Type of paper. The article presents theoretical concepts from the field of culture studies and philosophy together with literary criticism of selected travel essays.