Abstract

The paper discusses Henryk Skolimowski’s concept of man as “the ambassador of the cosmos” in the context of his ecophilosophy. Man is interpreted here as an integral part of the universe, expressing its essence, and playing the role of an active agent co-responsible for the shape of life and things to come within the process of cosmic evolution. In Skolimowski’s philosophy, the entire cosmos is treated as a Sanctuary, and man cooperates with divine cosmic forces in the process of its development. It can even be said that as a homo creator, man co-creates the cosmos in the unceasing process of transcending, and as such is responsible for life in its entirety as well as the future fate of the world. In his eco-ethics, Skolimowski gives priority to “the eleventh commandment” which imposes the moral obligation to respect all forms of the cosmic life. Eco-ethics is characterized by the attitude of reverence, love, respect, and universal justice to every manifestation of life. Ecophilosophy as philosophy of life provides a basis for a new relationship between man and nature in its entirety. Skolimowski formulates the ideal of cosmism which is to replace traditional humanism. In this concept, all cosmic beings are sanctified as possessing the divine potential, while man who in the fullest way expresses and actualizes this potential becomes a true “ambassador of the cosmos.”