Ryszard Legutko

Who is Ryszard Legutko?

Ryszard Antoni Legutko, born 24 December 1949, is Polish philosopher and politician. Professor of philosophy at the Jagellonian University in Kraków, specializing in ancient philosophy and political theory. Known for extreme right-wing publications, such as "Nie lubię tolerancji", and for his support for right-wing media, such as Radio Maryja.

Under communism he was one of the editors of the samizdat quarterly “Arka”. After the collapse of the communist regime he co-founded the Centre for Political Thought, which combines research, teaching, seminars and conferences and is also a publishing house. He has translated and written commentaries to Plato’s Phaedo, Euthyphro and Apology. He is the author of several books: Plato’s Critique of Democracy, Toleration, A Treatise on Liberty and An Essay on the Polish Soul. His latest book, Socrates, is forthcoming.

In 2005 he was elected to a seat in the Polish Senate, where he became Deputy Speaker. In 2007 he was Poland’s Education Minister, and in 2007-2009 Secretary of State in the Chancellery of President Lech Kaczyński. He is currently a member of the European Parliament, where he sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Deputy Chairman of the Conservatives and Reformists parliamentary group.