Acedia jako degeneracja duszy w wyniku utraty nadziei

The article addresses the issue of acedia by framing it as a chronic condition of the soul that operates in a degenerate manner (according to the Polish Language Dictionary PWN, degeneration is defined as “a severe distortion of the structure or organization of something”). To illustrate the specificity of acedia, characterized by an inability to experience joy and engage in effort, the genesis of the concept is explored, along with a brief overview of its evolution. Ultimately, the focus is placed on two main descriptions of acedia, differing from each other, namely those of Evagrius of Pontus and St. Thomas Aquinas. Drawing on Evagrius’ division of the soul, acedic degenerative distortion is identified as a dimming and paralysis of the rational part – the intellect and will – due to overactivity of the irrational parts: the desirous and irascible. It is demonstrated that this imbalance-induced anomaly, manifesting as intellectual obscurity and weakened will, culminates in an axiological realm through a value inversion where positive values are perceived as negative, leading to an apogee where evil is perceived as good. Referring to the dynamic nature of human existence and understanding the soul as entelechy, a systematic conception of hope from St. Thomas Aquinas is employed to argue that the loss of hope induces the acedia, a soul devastation characterized by the cessation of personal development understood as the pursuit of good. Ultimately, the study concludes with conclusion of the necessity of hope for a full life – both physical and spiritual, justified existence.