Ambiwalencja kryzysów i zagrożeń

The first part of the article presents a general theoretical reflection on the conceptions of crises and threats. A thesis is proposed that differentiation of crises, threats and catastrophes is by no means obvious, and this pertains also to their causes and effects. The second part of the paper lists a few dozen events from the history of European civilization which testify to an almost continual existence or at least recurrence of various crises, conflicts and problems. Moreover, the recurring observations of intellectuals with a critical, at times even catastrophic outlook on European (or in broader terms – western) history are mentioned. The last part of the paper is an attempt to answer the question of the nature and causes of the present crisis of civilization and its potential further implications. The author also reflects on whether we are facing a crisis (or perhaps a threat) of our civilization only, or whether it is a threat that pertains to the entire contemporary civilization on a global scale.