Wpływ filozofii oświecenia na rewolucję francuską – zarys problemu

Abstract

The article focuses on the problem of influence of Enlightenment (perceived as philosophical, and more widely as a cultural formation) on the outburst and course of the French Revolution. The paper intends to investigate a dispute between supporters and opponents of this thesis, and to outline the controversy concerning intellectual/political or social causes of the revolution. In order to investigate the issue mentioned above, main ideas and approaches are being discussed: the social interpretation of the French Revolution, e.g. Mathiez, Lefebvre, Vovelle; the co called revisionism movement, e.g. Furet, Cobban, and the intellectual history of Enlightenment and revolution, e.g. Israel, Jacob. The Author’s point is that there is no good reason to maintain strict division of only social or only intellectual interpretation, and that both of them should be consider. The synthesis of the opposing interpretations allows to suport a positive view on the Elightenment (e.g. Habermas) and simultaneously to recognize both philosophical (intellectual) and social conditions of the French Revolution.