Józef Julian Sękowski (1800–1858). Kontrowersyjny badacz Wschodu muzułmańskiego na tle epoki

Abstract

Józef J. Sękowski, a respected orientalist, authority in the field of the Muslim East, writer and publicist in the Romantic Era, is well-known among historians, orientalists and experts in Russian studies. Thus, the article analyses selected aspects of his impressive life’s work, which have not been discussed before. What is particularly emphasised is his outstanding research perspective on ‘The Other’ and the image of Turkey, founded on thorough source-based knowledge, familiarity with the European literature and the traveller’s personal experience. What distinguished the image of Turkey was that the fact that the country was open-minded, original and not influenced by Eurocentric prejudice at that time.. The author did not idealize Turkey, yet his only intention was to emphasise diversity of civilisations and their equality, and pointed out it was a misconception to describe the East as worse, irrational and declining, in comparison to the mature, rational and enlightened West. The precursor of E. Said’s thought claimed that the Europaeans, who are convinced of their civilisation’s superiority, perceived their civilisation as ‘the one and only’, thus unjustifiably regarded the nations of the Muslim East as worse and even deprived of enlightenment.