O pojęciu godności narodowej w polskiej myśli romantycznej

Abstract

On the Notion of National Dignity in Polish Romantic ThoughtNational dignity is one of the principal notions that help define the fundamental ideas and aims of nationalism. The author of the article analyzes the Polish thought of the first part of the 19th century, presenting the diversity of views. Historically, national dignity was believed to represent group value and being proud of belonging to one’s own nation, of its character and destiny within humanity. National dignity was an inalienable right and value closely connected with vital aspirations of a national community, with the ideal of freedom seen in the context of endangerments both from the outside (e.g. hostile actions of other states and nations) and from the inside (e.g. excessive love for one’s own nation, materialistic approaches, selfishness, but also threats that arise via injustice and the absence of social rights and equality). Dignity, honor, love of one’s motherland are values that we should constantly recall and at all times care for and propagate within a national community. In the article, special attention has also been paid to the way the older Polish thinkers presented the close relationships between collective dignity and individual dignity, as well as to the fact that the title notion has undergone a specific evolution in time and space.