Abstract
Leszek Kołakowski (1927–2009) was a thinker whose reflection was at the beginning
associated with Marxism, anthropocentrism, anti-absolutism and a radically secular
attitude. At the same time, from the very beginning Kołakowski, as a philosopher, was
highly critical of the positivist version of rationalism. The paper presents and analyses
the philosopher’s views on rationalism. This requires appropriate methodological
analyses and the distinction between different types of rationalism. The presented
analysis shows that the evolution of Kołakowski’s views means resignation from radical
anthropocentrism and the slogans of fighting secularism. A thinker, retaining
some elements of anti-absolutism and the related skepticism, positively valorises the
content related to European culture and Christianity.