JAN PATOČKA: FILOZOFIA AKO KONCEPT STAROSTLIVOSTI O DUŠU

The paper searches an answers to one of the most topical question in contemporary philosophy, which is indirectly related also to the other parts of the spiritual life: Is it the era of philosophy over, or is it continue to exist further? If the latter is true, what are then the possibilities and the mission of philosophy and how philosophy should stand to them? In order to answer these questions the author goes back to Socratian philosophy as preserved in the Platonian European tradition and as retold by Jan Patocka. Following Jan Patocka the author puts stress on two main motifs: on the idea of philosophy as 'knowing unknowing' and on 'the principle of the caring of the soul'. This is also the basis of the examination of the relationship between philosophy and sciences resulting in the conviction that in Socratian conception the philosophy means always first of all searching for the meaning of life, being at the same time complementary to sciences. Philosophy of Socratian type represents the innermost human experience, which is always accompanied by a deep inner conversion.