Starzejące się szaty kultury. Koncepcja Thomasa Carlyle’a na tle tradycji i epoki .......... 657

THE AGEING CLOTHES OF CULTURE. THOMAS CARLYLE’S CONCEPT AT THE BACKGROUND OF TRADITION AND EPOCH

The paper presents the main sources of Thomas Carlyle’s thought: first of all, the Calvinistic tradition and German romantic philosophy and literature. Further, Carlyle’s “clothes philosophy” is discussed, with emphasis upon its symbolic and spiritual dimension. According to the Scottish philosopher’s concept, the metaphorically understood “clothes” – cultural symbols gradually wear out during the historical process, and can no longer “dress” the spirit. Carlylean inauthentic symbols become hollow shells or simulacra – signs with no reference to any reality which they were designed to indicate, and – within certain limits – replace. The need for new forms and “clothes”, which would appeal to the contemporary generation, emerges, and the fundamental role here is to be played by heroes. The tailor should be re-tailored, as the title of Carlyle’s masterpiece Sartor Resartus suggests.