Letter from Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz written 06.07.1937

Author Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz

Category incoming correspondence, Polish researchers

Archive Ingarden Family archives

Date of creation 6.07.1937

Reference code in archive ARI

Resource type letter

Subject matter academic issues

Field logic, philosophy

Tags #criticism, #Filon, #five of antiphilonists, #invitation, #jokes, #logic, #Ludwig Wittgenstein, #megalopaedia, #new type of criticism, #point of view, #relax, #Roman Ingarden, #snardz, #Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, #summer, #vacation, #Witkacy

6.VII 1937
Honoured Professor = I thank you warmly for the letter and remarks that I always accept with an open heart. Of course, please do not suspect me of megalopaedia because of the introduction of the concept of the “five original antiphilonists.” – This was an obvious joke. For now, I wish to say a few words á propos my critique of Wittgenstein. Not every author or work deserves to be written about: not every snardz (= a fella in my “language” – oh, those “languages”, what the hell) can write a work about any given snardz. I am propagating a new type of criticism (like light tanks, or former light cavalry) that I would call marginal-notecritique in English. For this, however, one must have a finished and determined own view. It is not based on the “synthesis” of a given snardz but on comparing him with oneself against the background of various problems. For example, in rel[ation] to Wgs. [Wittgenstein] I do not get into all the symbology. I do not mind him, but the logic from my point of view. I have not encountered this type criticism and I would like to popularise it. Because I think that we do not have to limit ourselves to known types and assume that what does not fall into a given pattern is of no value (I only mean the form of criticism, which does not determine its essential value). I think that in general it is clear from my work that Wgs. [Wittgenstein] is not-selfconsistent, and I present myself to the reader, too. I believe that criticism from an unspecified point is detrimental; in this way there are two fellas [snardzes] to be compared. For now, that’s all. I dream about you visiting in the summer. And maybe indeed – you also need this for your health.
I enclose words of respect, affection and gratitude, F.G. [family greetings]

n Witkacy.

(written on the envelope)
P.S. I prefer light criticism written from a very specific point of view than a critical “work” whose author is a nebula without a central star.