Freedom as Practice: From Kołakowski to Civic Tools

Fundacja Dobre Państwo • January 9, 2026 • 🇵🇱 Polski

Introduction: Freedom as a Daily Practice

Freedom is more than just a campaign slogan; it is the ability to choose and create what has not yet existed. According to Leszek Kołakowski, it is our fundamental experience of agency. This article analyzes how transparency in public life and specific legal tools allow us to move from theory to real influence over the state. You will learn why freedom requires constant effort and how to protect it from modern threats.

Kołakowski: Freedom as Unpredictability and a Burden

For Kołakowski, freedom is a burden of responsibility, not merely the absence of coercion. Quantum physics refutes the deterministic view of the world, proving that reality is not a wound-up clock, which restores the scientific space for free will. Erich Fromm defines spontaneity as internal freedom, warning against the escape into conformity.

Spiritual traditions view free will as a path to liberation: from the Judaic responsibility for one's actions and Christian love to the Buddhist mastery over habits. Analyzing models of freedom: US individualism vs. the Asian order, we see that this concept resonates differently across cultures—ranging from absolute individual rights to social harmony and duty.

Law: The Foundation Protecting Freedom from Arbitrariness

Without a solid legal framework, freedom becomes merely the whim of the stronger. Transparency in public life is a shield against corruption and the lifeblood of democracy. Unfortunately, modern particracy limits pluralism and citizen influence, privatizing public debate in favor of party interests.

However, the citizen is not defenseless. A legislative initiative is a path from signature to statute, allowing a group of 100,000 people to realistically change the system. Political freedom provides the tools for the hungry and excluded to effectively demand their rights instead of relying on the mercy of those in power.

Civic Tools: A Guide to Effective Participation

In the professional sphere, employee autonomy is the psychological dimension of freedom. According to self-determination theory, people flourish when they have a sense of influence and competence. Key to this is psychological safety—freedom from fear within a group—which fosters innovation and honesty without the risk of punishment.

In dealings with authorities, petitions and information requests are instruments of effective participation. The 2001 Act on Access to Public Information allows anyone to enforce their right to know about government spending and decisions. Complaints and motions serve as legal instruments of oversight, forcing institutions to be transparent. Meanwhile, in the digital world, the Digital Services Act sets a new framework for online freedom, giving users the right to appeal the arbitrary decisions of tech platforms.

Conclusion: Freedom as a Process of Continuous Practice

Freedom as a process requires constant practice and vigilance. It is not a gift from the state, but a craft that withers when we stop exercising it. If we stop being the stewards of democracy and become passive consumers instead, our freedom will become nothing more than a hollow memory.

The freedom we do not defend every day through petitions, inquiries, and critical thinking eventually vanishes. The freedom we fight for becomes our most effective shield and most precious legacy for future generations.

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Summary

This article provides a profound analysis of the concept of freedom, moving beyond superficial political slogans toward the real capacity to create a new reality. The author juxtaposes Leszek Kołakowski's classical philosophy with modern psychological theories, such as the theory of self-determination and the concept of psychological safety. The text argues that authentic freedom is realized through concrete civic tools: systemic petitions, transparency in public life, and the fight against the precariat. The considerations cover a broad spectrum—from quantum mechanics and theology to practical systemic reforms and term limits. This is a call for building an agency society in which individual autonomy becomes the foundation of a strong and transparent state, based on conscious participation and responsibility for our shared future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is freedom according to Leszek Kołakowski?

For Kołakowski, freedom is an elementary experience and the ability to choose and create new things that did not exist before, going beyond pure determinism.

What is the relationship between law and political freedom?

Without law, freedom is reduced to the whim of the strongest; law is a necessary construct of culture and institutions that protects freedom from chaos and tyranny.

What are the practical tools for defending civil liberties?

These include writing petitions, exercising the right to public information, monitoring state budgets and supporting watchdog organizations.

Why is autonomy important in the workplace?

According to self-determination theory, autonomy is a key condition for intrinsic motivation; its absence leads to stress and a decline in team innovation.

What threats to freedom does the modern labor market pose?

The main threat is precarization, or flexibility without a social safety net, which turns economic freedom into a constant auction of risk and stress.