Marxist Trait of Revisionism: Leszek Kołakowski’s Consistent Transition to Inconsistent Philosophy

In the article the author describes theoretical reasons that stood behind Kołakowski's transition from being an orthodox Marxist to become an actual leader of the polish revisionist movement. His intention is to concentrate on those aspects of Kołakowski's thought that have not changed, apart from any biographical and psychological reasons. (1) First of those features is Kołakowski's inability of completability, the anti-code disposition. (2) The second trait is the moral attitude, an intention to influence on people's morality by convincing them that social and internal (necessarily bound with social) changes are desirable; that an existential calm demolishes morality. (3) Third feature concerns the fact that Kołakowski did not attempt to create his own philosophy, he was rather a historian of ideas, a skeptic, and a critic

U podstaw myśli etycznej Leszka Kołakowskiego

The article discusses primary matters of Leszek Kołakowski’s ethical thought. For that purpose, the analysis focuses on the need to justify the content of natural law. Kołakowski maintains that the development of communication and growth of cities are foundations of the justification process. In line with this idea the intuition of evil (related with such terms like tabu, sacrum, profanum or sin) is the major determinant for the distinction between good and evil. Kołakowski’s theory also explores a connection between the experience of evil and human dignity.The article discusses primary matters of Leszek Kołakowski’s ethical thought. For that purpose, the analysis focuses on the need to justify the content of natural law. Kołakowski maintains that the development of communication and growth of cities are foundations of the justification process. In line with this idea the intuition of evil (related with such terms like tabu, sacrum, profanum or sin) is the major determinant for the distinction between good and evil. Kołakowski’s theory also explores a connection between the experience of evil and human dignity

Filozofia Leszka Kołakowskiego wobec praw człowieka

Rozprawa doktorska stanowi próbę zestawienia ogólnych cech myśli Leszka Kołakowskiego z tym, co autor ten pisał na temat praw człowieka. W jej Wstępie umotywowane zostaje podjęcie badań nad Kołakowskim w tym obszarze. Rozdział I zawiera trzy punkty, które skupiają się na (1) biografii filozofa, (2) zasadności ujmowania w tym kontekście jego dzieła oraz na (3) przyjętym w pracy schemacie periodyzacji twórczości Kołakowskiego. Rozdział II stanowi opis pierwszego, marksistowskiego okresu filozofii Kołakowskiego. Został on podzielony na dwie części. W pierwszej scharakteryzowana zostaje w ogóle myśl tego autora w tamtym czasie. W drugiej rozważania traktują o obecnym w pracach Kołakowskiego przedmiotowego okresu rozróżnieniu: na prawa osoby i prawa człowieka. Rozdział III dotyczy dojrzałej twórczości Kołakowskiego. Został podzielony na trzy części. (1) Pierwsza poświęcona jest ogólnemu opisowi myśli filozofa w tym czasie. (2) Druga część tego Rozdziału dotyczy tzw. "odwetu sacrum”. (3) Część III poświęcona jest idei praw człowieka we współczesnych demokracjach w kontekście, który interesował Kołakowskiego. W Zakończeniu ponownie zwraca się uwagę na te kwestie, jakie pozostawały ważne dla tytułowej relacji: filozofia Leszka Kołakowskiego a jego stanowisko co do idei praw człowieka

Idalopirdine : a small molecule antagonist of 5-HT_6 with therapeutic potential against obesity

5HT(6) receptor antagonists offer the potential for safe and effective drugs against obesity, because they can reduce weight without causing serious side effects in the cardiovascular system. Also, their anorexic effect is associated with reduced food intake via an enhancement of satiety. In the present study we investigated the anorexic effect of idalopirdine (LuAE58054) in a model of obesity induced by high-fat diet. To induce obesity in rats, the animals were treated with feed with a fat content of 40 %. Body weight was controlled and the amount of food and water consumed was determined. The influence of the test compound on the lipid profile and glucose level was measured, as well as locomotor activity in home cages on the 20th day of the treatment. LuAE58054, at 5 mg kg(−1)/day i.p., was significantly anorectic in this model of obesity. Animals treated with LuAE58054 weighed 8 and 9.2 % less than the control obese animals on the 12th and 21st days, respectively. It significantly reduced food intake and the amount of peritoneal fat in animals, and reduced the level of triglycerides in plasma. LuAE58054 did not have a statistically significant effect on the spontaneous activity of diet-induced obese rats. The present study clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of LuAE58054 in reducing body weight. This compound is in phase III of clinical trials for the treatment of cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. It is a 5HT(6) receptor antagonist and is, therefore, free of those unacceptable side effects that preclude chronic use of anti-obesity drugs with other mechanisms of action. The search for an effective and safe anti-obesity drug is essential for an increasingly obese population; therefore, the anorectic action of LuAE58054 is important and there is a need for more research in this direction

Chemically homogenous compounds with antagonistic properties at all α1\alpha_{1}-adrenoceptor subtypes but not β1\beta_{1}-adrenoceptor attenuate adrenaline-induced arrhythmia in rats

Studies proved that among all α1-adrenoceptors, cardiac myocytes functionally express only α1A- and α1B-subtype. Scientists indicated that α1A-subtype blockade might be beneficial in restoring normal heart rhythm. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of α1-adrenoceptors subtypes (i.e. α1A and α1B) in antiarrhythmic effect of six structurally similar derivatives of 2-methoxyphenylpiperazine. We compared the activity of studied compounds with carvedilol, which is β1- and α1-adrenoceptors blocker with antioxidant properties.To evaluate the affinity for adrenergic receptors, we used radioligand methods. We investigated selectivity at α1-adrenoceptors subtypes using functional bioassays. We tested antiarrhythmic activity in adrenaline-induced (20 µg/kg i.v.), calcium chloride-induced (140 and 25 mg/kg i.v.) and barium chloride-induced (32 and 10 mg/kg i.v.) arrhythmia models in rats. We also evaluated the influence of studied compounds on blood pressure in rats, as well as lipid peroxidation. All studied compounds showed high affinity towards α1-adrenoceptors but no affinity for β1 receptors. Biofunctional studies revealed that the tested compounds blocked α1A- stronger than α1B-adrenoceptors, but except for HBK-19 they antagonized α1A-adrenoceptor weaker than α1D-subtype. HBK-19 showed the greatest difference in pA2 values - it blocked α1A-adrenoceptors around sevenfold stronger than α1B subtype. All compounds showed prophylactic antiarrhythmic properties in adrenaline-induced arrhythmia, but only the activity of HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18 and HBK-19 (ED50=0.18-0.21) was comparable to that of carvedilol (ED50=0.36). All compounds reduced mortality in adrenaline-induced arrhythmia. HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18 and HBK-19 showed therapeutic antiarrhythmic properties in adrenaline-induced arrhythmia. None of the compounds showed activity in calcium chloride- or barium chloride-induced arrhythmias. HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18 and HBK-19 decreased heart rhythm at ED84. All compounds significantly lowered blood pressure in normotensive rats. HBK-18 showed the strongest hypotensive properties (the lowest active dose: 0.01 mg/kg). HBK-19 was the only compound in the group, which did not show hypotensive effect at antiarrhythmic doses. HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18, HBK-19 showed weak antioxidant properties.Our results indicate that the studied 2-methoxyphenylpiperazine derivatives that possessed stronger α1A-adrenolytic properties (i.e. HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18 and HBK-19) were the most compounds in adrenaline-induced arrhythmia. Thus, we suggest that the potent blockade of α1A-receptor subtype is essential to attenuate adrenaline-induced arrhythmia

Antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of new dual 5-HT_{1A} and 5-HT_{7} antagonists in animal models

The aim of this study was to further characterize pharmacological properties of two phenylpiperazine derivatives: 1-{2-[2-(2,6-dimethlphenoxy)ethoxy]ethyl}-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazynine hydrochloride (HBK-14) and 2-[2-(2-chloro-6-methylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethyl-4-(2- methoxyphenyl)piperazynine dihydrochloride (HBK-15) in radioligand binding and functional in vitro assays as well as in vivo models. Antidepressant-like properties were investigated in the forced swim test (FST) in mice and rats. Anxiolytic-like activity was evaluated in the four-plate test in mice and elevated plus maze test (EPM) in rats. Imipramine and escitalopram were used as reference drugs in the FST, and diazepam was used as a standard anxiolytic drug in animal models of anxiety. Our results indicate that HBK-14 and HBK-15 possess high or moderate affinity for serotonergic 5-HT2, adrenergic α1, and dopaminergic D2 receptors as well as being full 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptor antagonists. We also present their potent antidepressant-like activity (HBK-14-FST mice: 2.5 and 5 mg/kg; FST rats: 5 mg/kg) and (HBK-15-FST mice: 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg; FST rats: 1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg). We show that HBK-14 (four-plate test: 2.5 and 5 mg/kg; EPM: 2.5 mg/kg) and HBK-15 (four-plate test: 2.5 and 5 mg/kg; EPM: 5 mg/kg) possess anxiolytic-like properties. Among the two, HBK-15 has stronger antidepressant-like properties, and HBK-14 displays greater anxiolytic-like activity. Lastly, we demonstrate the involvement of serotonergic system, particularly 5-HT1A receptor, in the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like actions of investigated compounds

HBK-17, a 5-HT1A Receptor Ligand With Anxiolytic-Like Activity, Preferentially Activates ß-Arrestin Signaling

Numerous studies have proven that both stimulation and blockade of 5-HT1A and the blockade of 5-HT7 receptors might cause the anxiolytic-like effects. Biased agonists selectively activate specific signaling pathways. Therefore, they might offer novel treatment strategies. In this study, we investigated the anxiolytic-like activity, as well as the possible mechanism of action of 1-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)propyl]-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine hydrochloride (HBK-17). In our previous experiments, HBK-17 showed high affinity for 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors and antidepressant-like properties. We performed the four plate test and the elevated plus maze test to determine anxiolytic-like activity. Toward a better understanding of the pharmacological properties of HBK-17 we used various functional assays to determine its intrinsic activity at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT7, and D2 receptors and UHPLC-MS/MS method to evaluate its pharmacokinetic profile. We observed the anxiolytic-like activity of HBK-17 in both behavioral tests and the effect was reversed by the pretreatment with WAY-100635, which proves that 5-HT1A receptor activation was essential for the anxiolytic-like effect. Moreover, the compound moderately antagonized D2, weakly 5-HT7 and very weakly 5-HT2A receptors. We demonstrated that HBK-17 preferentially activated ß-arrestin signaling after binding to the 5-HT1A receptor. HBK-17 was rapidly absorbed after intraperitoneal administration and had a half-life of about 150 min. HBK-17 slightly penetrated the peripheral compartment and showed bioavailability of approximately 45%. The unique pharmacological profile of HBK-17 encourages further experiments to understand its mechanism of action fully

Constructional Flaws of Polish Real Estate Tax – Continuation of Fundamental Interpretation Problems

W artykule przedstawiono aktualne problemy podatku od nieruchomości. Odwołując się przede wszystkim do orzecznictwa sądów administracyjnych, autor pokazuje, że sygnalizowane od lat problemy przyczyniają się do pogłębienia się poziomu wadliwości, jakie należy wiązać z tą daniną. W tekście rozważania oparte są przede wszystkim na dwóch katalogach spraw dotyczących opodatkowania: 1) elektrowni wiatrowych oraz 2) linii elektroenergetycznych położonych w lasach. Autor analizuje, co należy do źródeł tych sporów, jakie wady konstrukcyjne podatku je inicjują. Krytycznie ocenia przy tym działania ustawodawcy, który na problemy reaguje punktowo.The article presents the current real estate tax problems in Poland. Basing primarily on the jurisprudence of administrative courts, the author shows that the problems signaled for years contribute to the deepening of the level of defectiveness in this tax. The considerations are based primarily on two catalogs of matters: (1) concerning taxation of wind farms, and (2) concerning taxation of power lines located in forests. The author shows what is the source of these controversies, critically assessing the actions of the legislator, who reacts to problems only casually

“Your character has been robbed. Do you want to sue the other player?” Polish criminal law and the notion of “theft” in a computer game.

Technological development implies a lot of new ways to commit crimes in cyberspace. Stealing virtual objects (such as magical swords or shoes) is one of them. It is unique because virtual theft combines one of the oldest types of criminal activity with the achievements of modern technology. This article deals with those situations when the actions taken by players stop being protected by the ‘magic circle’ and become criminal. It will also explore how the Polish Penal Law deals with these matters. It shall also discuss a comparable U.S. based case, involving fraud committed by the player called Cally in "Eve Online", three cases from Poland and finally, It will deal with stipulated solutions

Marksistowskie cechy rewizjonizmu: Leszka Kołakowskiego spójne przejście do niespójnej filozofii

In the article the author describes theoretical reasons that stood behind Kołakowski's transition from being an orthodox Marxist to become an actual leader of the polish revisionist movement. His intention is to concentrate on those aspects of Kołakowski's thought that have not changed, apart from any biographical and psychological reasons. (1) First of those features is Kołakowski's inability of completability, the anti-code disposition. (2) The second trait is the moral attitude, an intention to influence on people's morality by convincing them that social and internal (necessarily bound with social) changes are desirable; that an existential calm demolishes morality. (3) Third feature concerns the fact that Kołakowski did not attempt to create his own philosophy, he was rather a historian of ideas, a skeptic, and a criticW artykule zestawione zostają dwa pierwsze etapy twórczości Leszka Kołakowskiego: marksistowski oraz rewizjonistyczny. Wychodząc naprzeciw pracom, które dotychczas poruszały tę problematykę, autor skupia się na tych przekonaniach polskiego myśliciela, które pozostały niezmienne dla każdego z obu okresów, więcej nawet – które wydały się leżeć u podstaw porzucenia przezeń marksistowskiej dogmatyki. Są to kolejno: (1) systemowa niezakończoność filozofii, jej antykodeksowe nastawienie; (2) potrzeba zaangażowania, związana z pomysłem, że do podstawowych zadań filozofii należy wpływanie na postawy moralne oraz ich odpowiednie kształtowanie; (3) antytetyczność podejścia Kołakowskiego, znajdująca istotny wyraz w przyjmowaniu pozycji błazna, a także konsekwentne nastawienie na negację zastanych propozycji światopoglądowych (tak tradycyjnych jak współczesnych polskiemu myślicielowi).Publikacja została sfinansowana ze środków Ministerstwa Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego w ramach programu Narodowego Programu Rozwoju Humanistyki przyznanych na podstawie decyzji 0014/NPRH4/H3b/83/2016 - projekt „Przygotowanie i publikacja dwóch anglojęzycznych numerów monograficznych Internetowego Magazynu Filozoficznego HYBRIS” (3bH 15 0014 83)