Myśliciel a rewolucja – Jean Antoine Nicolas Condorcet

Abstract

The paper is connected with the translation of the text „On the meaning of the word «revolutionary»” written by J.A.N. Condorcet, which was published on 1st June, 1793. It describes historical background behind this text. However, the main focus of the paper is to present the extremely complex situation of the author, who, writing this text, was aware of the fact that the revolution, like an overflowing river, so far controlled by the Reason, leaves its banks. Although he tries to get it under control – i.a. by writing the above mentioned text, he loses like the Hegelian arsonist.