A History That Does Not Pass
The conversation focuses on the question of how traumatic experiences affect our emotions, social relationships and ways of thinking about happiness. The starting point is the book "Traumaland. Polacy w cieniu przesz艂o艣ci鈥�, in which Prof. Micha艂 Bilewicz shows that the effects of war, violence and uncertainty do not end with their formal conclusion. They remain present in society across subsequent generations.
If we were to point to a shared experience that has shaped contemporary Poles, it would be the traumatic history of war
鈥� writes Prof. Micha艂 Bilewicz.
The author demonstrates that experiences of war, violence and uncertainty do not end when they formally cease. They remain within people 鈥� in their reactions, beliefs and emotions 鈥� and may be transmitted from generation to generation.
Patterns of behaviour formed during that time 鈥� fear, distrust and the conviction that the world is unjust 鈥� stay with us for a long time.
The dialogue also includes personal recollections. Both speakers recall stories from their families and the experiences of grandparents who lived through the occupation. As a result, the academic reflection gains a very personal, human dimension.
14 June 鈥� Anniversary of the First Mass Transport of Prisoners to Auschwitz
The recording was published on 14 June, marking the anniversary of the first mass transport of prisoners to the German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz. On that day in 1940, 728 Polish political prisoners were deported from the prison in Tarn贸w, becoming the first victims of the camp. Research conducted by the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum indicates that 325 people from this transport survived the war, 292 prisoners died, while the fate of 111 remains unknown.
This is one of those dates that remind us that history is not merely a record of events, but also an experience passed on to future generations. In this context, the question of the possibility of a good life and happiness in a world marked by trauma takes on particular significance.
Happiness Despite Everything?
The conversation also introduces a philosophical perspective brought by Prof. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek. As she emphasises:
A good life is a state of mind. It does not depend solely on external conditions, but on how we interpret what happens to us.
From this tension 鈥� between the experience of trauma and the possibility of building well-being 鈥� the key question of the meeting emerges: is happiness possible in a world that carries within it the memory of violence and loss?
Also:
Do we have the right to complain, to feel impatience or dissatisfaction, when others around us are truly suffering?
鈥� reflects the researcher.
Is Ordinariness a Remedy for Healing?
Can we, as Poles, show more self-compassion toward ourselves? What would that mean? It would mean recognising that we don鈥檛 have to be a nation of angels, we don鈥檛 have to be a unique nation 鈥� we are just like everyone else, and the same limitations apply to us as they do to others. Realizing our shared humanity 鈥� that we are human beings with all our flaws 鈥� might reduce various defensive reactions when we suspect that someone is underestimating us, that is, narcissistic reactions
鈥� noted Prof. Micha艂 Bilewicz.
During the conversation, Prof. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek and Prof. Micha艂 Bilewicz also addressed the impact of genetic factors on how trauma is experienced, and whether and to what extent biological predispositions may co-shape responses to difficult experiences. Additionally, they discussed the psychological image of Poles emerging from scientific research and its possible historical and social sources. They reflected on Poland鈥檚 position in international reports on levels of happiness, asking about the factors underlying its scores, as well as on the possibility of regaining control over one鈥檚 life after traumatic experiences, including psychological mechanisms conducive to rebuilding agency. The discussion also touched upon the phenomenon of a 鈥渟iege mentality鈥�, understood as a persistent way of perceiving the world through the lens of threat and distrust.
Guests of the meeting
Dr hab. Micha艂 Bilewicz is a social psychologist, Associate Professor at the University of Warsaw and founder of the Centre for Research on Prejudice. In his work, he studies how historical and social experiences influence attitudes, emotions and relationships between people. Author of the book 鈥淭raumaland. Polacy w cieniu przesz艂o艣ci鈥�. Dr hab. Micha艂 Bilewicz is a President-elect of the International Society of Political Psychology and Vice-Chair of the Committee of Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
Dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, Associate Professor at the 91桃色, is a philosopher and ethicist. She is a graduate in Philosophy and English Philology, she specialises in moral philosophy, utilitarianism, practical ethics and research on well-being and happiness
She has long collaborated with Peter Singer, with whom she co-authored, among others, the books The Point of View of the Universe and Utilitarianism: A Very Short Introduction, popularising contemporary approaches to utilitarian ethics. She is also the author of the book "Godny po偶膮dania stan 艣wiadomo艣ci鈥� [A Desirable State of Consciousness], in which she analyses the nature of happiness and pleasure.
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Edit: Honorata Ogieniewska, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University; photos: Micha艂 Gruda