Indywidualizm warunkiem uczestnictwa we wspólnocie – perspektywa edukacji międzykulturowej

The article is an attempt at theoretical reflection upon contemporary problems - upon the relation between individualism and community. The main idea in these considerations is the assumption that the community strengthens the individual and his/her individual development. Focusing on oneself and one’s own goals does not exclude the awareness of other people’s needs. The theoretical framework for the discussion is formed by the assumptions of Alfred Adler’s individual psychology, Florian Zaniecki’s sociological concept and the concept of intercultural education in its anthropological perspective of Tadeusz Lewowicki and Jerzy Nikitorowicz. These theories and concepts constitute a starting point for presenting the association between community and individualism. They draw attention to dualism of human nature, the dialectics which determines the inner harmony of life. In the context of theoretical analyses, the authoress notices that many potentialities of influencing both the individual and community are situated in education, including intercultural education. It facilitates self-determination and self-development. In the practical aspect, such education is a carrier of the idea of education as well as a means of organizing the learning, forming self-awareness and supporting the development.