Paper short abstract:

I trace elements in the Weltanschaung of Polish anthropologists, which represent oppositions to be found throughout Polish cultural history. The individualistic, pluralist stance favoured by the Polish intelligentsia shaped the choices of those landing in England and entering British anthropology.

Paper long abstract:

The paper results from my biographical research on Polish anthropologists. They belonged to two different generations. Malinowski (1884-1942) and Czaplicka (1884-1921) matured even before the Great War, three others (students of Malinowski) in the interwar period.

Their social background was quite similar. They belonged to the main Polish social class, namely intelligentsia. It was not a pro-capitalist 'middle class' as in the West but the post-feudal stratum (gentry deprived of their estates and forced to work in 'intelligent' professions).

I want to find some common elements in their Weltanschaung, which, seems to me, enables anthropological interests and achievements. It would be some individualistic, pluralistic, democratic (and often socialistic) stance as oppose to nationalistic, holistic, hierarchical, exclusive view. This opposition is to be found throughout Polish cultural history and emerges every now and again in new incarnations.

They were all in some opposition to Polish romantic volkskunde, that cultivated the image of folk culture as a reservoir of national values. Landing in England and British anthropology meant choosing a non-nationalistic, scientific project of broad perspectives.