Abstract

This is a critical study of the philosophies of Jan Patocka and Vaclav Havel, as leading to, and flowing from, Charter 77. In part one, Patocka's philosophy is presented as between Platonic-humanistic and Heideggerian poles. In his Heideggerian moments, Patocka looked for a way to transcend productionist metaphysics and return to unspecified authenticity. In his Platonic-humanistic moments, Patocka found authenticity in "care for the soul" and "life in truth," the practice of the Socratic method. For these basic human rights, the necessary preconditions for life in truth, Patocka chose to write Charter 77 and eventually to sacrifice himself. ;In part two, I examine the influence of Patocka on the philosophy of his fellow Charterist, the dissident Vaclav Havel, who attempted to apply Patocka's thought to the situation in post-totalitarian societies. ;In part three, I examine to what extent did president Havel adapt or change his positions through the practice of his new responsibilities, and confrontation between his conscience directed consciousness with Czechoslovak being