Jerzy Haszczyński: Plato was a celebrity twenty-four centuries ago

Jerzy Haszczyński reflects on the profound, albeit unexpected, influence of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato on his life's trajectory. While he dedicated significant academic attention to Plato's philosophies during his studies at the University of Warsaw in the late communist era and early post-communist period, his connection runs deeper than mere intellectual engagement.

Haszczyński recounts a pivotal moment in 1985, shortly before his entrance exams for the University of Warsaw's philosophy department. A seemingly casual reading of one of Plato's works proved instrumental. This encounter, he believes, significantly contributed to his unexpectedly strong performance on the entrance exam, a remarkable feat given the intense competition where at least ten candidates vied for each available spot.

This academic success, spurred by his engagement with Plato, became a catalyst. It propelled Haszczyński onto a path that ultimately led him to a career in journalism, specifically at the newspaper "Rzeczpospolita," and eventually to writing columns for "Plus Minus." He views this sequence of events as integral to fulfilling a life script he scarcely dared to dream of during the bleakness of the PRL era.

While he promises to elaborate on the details of this life-altering experience at a later time, perhaps when university admissions become a topical subject again, Haszczyński emphasizes the serendipitous nature of this influence. The encounter with Plato's writings, he suggests, was not just about philosophical ideas but about initiating a chain of events that shaped his personal and professional destiny.