[An] important essay by a philosopher who more convincingly than any other I can think of demonstrates the continuing significance of his vocation in the life of our culture.-Karsten Harries, The New York Times Book Review

With The Presence of Myth, Kolakowski demonstrates that no matter how hard man strives for purely rational thought, there has always been-and always will be-a reservoir of mythical images that lend being and consciousness a specifically human meaning.

Kolakowski undertakes a philosophy of culture which extends to all realms of human intercourse-intellectual, artistic, scientific, and emotional. . . . [His] book has real significance for today, and may well become a classic in the philosophy of culture.-Anglican Theological Review