The political philosophy of Václav Havel

Abstract

Václav Havel is a political hero to many for his brave opposition to Communist tyranny. His plays are less well understood than his political persona. His plays have been labelled ‘absurd, depressing, upsetting, shocking’, and a ‘dead end’. They are certainly ambitious, complex, and difficult to interpret. Havel's seemingly absurd plays are an effort to counteract what he calls ‘the crisis of human identity’, a crisis that has occurred because of the loss of metaphysical certainty over fundamental principles. Havel's plays attempt to overcome this uncertainty by presenting a phenomenological grounding for higher moral principles and a more stable and politically responsible sense of self.