The City Library “Karlo Bjelicki” of Sombor, Serbia published a book The Basic Principle (Osnovno nacelo) by Laza Kostic, the most distinguished Serbian poet, writer, philosopher, and translator. The English edition of this book was published in April of this year, while the critical edition in the original language (Serbian) was published last year, in 2015.
Laza Kostic was born in Kovilj, Serbia in 1841. He finished high school in Novi Sad and Pest (Budapest), and earned his Ph.D. at the Law School of Pest University, Austro-Hungary. He worked as a professor, journalist, and lawyer, and was later involved in political life in Serbia and Austro-Hungary. He was one of the most educated Serbian writers and polyglots - speaking seven languages (Greek, Latin, English, Russian, Hungarian, German, and French). According to many critics, he was the most important figure in the Serbian romantic poetry.
According to Dr. Cicovacki, in the book The Basic Principle Kostic is mocking traditional philosophers from Ancient Greece to Kant and Hegel because they are “too serious” i.e., they are so intellectually engrossed into abstract ideas and detached from real life, that they would not be able to choose between two equally big piles of hay like Buridan’s famous donkey who allegedly starved to death (12, 14) [“This is the situation of famed Buridan’s Ass, named after philosopher John Buridan (1300-1358): a donkey finds himself halfway between two equally big and delicious piles of hay. Because he lacks a decisive reason to choose one pile over the other, he cannot decide which one to eat, and eventually starved to death.]. They are “too serious” because their thoughts are detached from their heart. Kostic chooses the heart as the starting point of his philosophy and poetry, but not mere appearances or abstract ideas, as science and philosophy usually do.
Kostic’s book, The Basic Principle, begins with the traditional philosophical questions: What is the root of life? Who am I? What am I doing here? How do I stand in this world and how does this world stands to me? Considering such traditional philosophical questions from Ancient Greek philosophy to Kant and Hegel, Kostic found the governing source of the world and all its things and events in one basic principle – that of “intercrossing.” The inspiration for this principle Kostic found in the Ancient Greek philosophy, especially in Heraclitus. For Heraclitus, the basic principle is the unity of opposite powers (day – night, wet – dry, warm – cold, etc.). In the wake of Heraclitus’ principle, Kostic determines “intercrossing” as the relationship of encountering and resolving the opposite powers. Harmony and symmetry are the two manifestations of this basic principle of “intercrossing.” Kostic says: “Harmony is the synthesis of symmetry. Symmetry is the analysis of the harmony” (63). Symmetry and harmony are attached to each other, and they control each other. Symmetry is the balance of opposite powers. Harmony comprehends all differences in the one unique wholeness. For Kostic, from organic nature to the highest products of the human spirit such as arts and poetry, we can find harmony and symmetry in the “intercrossing” of the conflicting forces. Harmony and symmetry create a beauty. The root of Kostic’s philosophical thought and poetry is based on uniqueness of beauty, which he found most aptly illustrated in the Ancient Greek tragedy and the Serbian medieval epics.
Laza Kostic’s philosophy and poetry express the uniqueness of his life and works. As Dr. Cicovacki mentioned in his Prologue, this book had been hiding for decades in the basements of various archives, and it has remained unknown even to the philosophical audience in Serbia. It had never been translated into any foreign language before, due to our fears that civilized Europeans may laugh at it. Dr. Cicovacki pointed out that we depreciate our own tradition although it contains many treasures we should be proud of - such as our magnificent Epic poetry of which the rest of the world knows almost nothing.
In order to know more and understand better Kostic’s poetry, aesthetics, and life, you should read his philosophical treatise, The Basic Principle. If you are interested in this book, you can contact Dr. Predrag Cicovacki at the College of the Holy Cross, Department of Philosophy, Worcester, MA, 01610 or e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He will glad to send you a free copy of this book (in English or Serbian).
