October 23

Leszek Kołakowski (1927–2009) was a Polish philosopher and historian of ideas whose scholarship profoundly influenced 20th-century thought. Initially a Marxist party member, he became a leading critic of Soviet-style communism after his exile in 1968. Kołakowski's magnum opus, Main Currents of Marxism, is a thorough history and critique of Marxist theory from its origins to its abuses. He held academic positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Oxford and received numerous international prizes. His writings spanned philosophy, religion, and political theory, marked by erudition and moral clarity. Kołakowski's work continues to inform debates on ideology, freedom, and human values.