Presentation of the author

Zygmunt Bauman is not only a sociologist and philosopher renowned in the world of science, he is also an authority for those interested in the phenomenon of globalization. He is particularly inquisitive about how the modern economic and political changes influence the life of societies. By pulling a man out of the machine of globalisation, he evinces sensitivity, which appeals to a great many opponents of the modern reality. For that reason, alter-globalists treat his works as the Bible. His latest publications, written in great language, often in the form of essays, inspire next generations – including the youngest practitioners of science (Smoleński 2005).

At present Bauman writes books in English. The sociologist, up to the year 1968, lectured at Warsaw University, however, as he was forced by the communist authorities to flee the country, he has been related to Leeds University all his scientific life. His output comprises around 50 books, including the most important ones such as (bestsellers most of the time): Modernity and the Holocaust; Postmodernity and its Discontents; Globalization: the Human Consequences; Together, Apart; Wasted Lives: Modernity and Its Outcasts; Liquid Modernity; Liquid Life; Liquid Fear; The Art of Life or the recently published – and greatly personal work – This is not a Diary.

Modern angst

Trying to find the leading scientific trend in the newest compilations by Bauman, there is a visible focus on the ‘fears’ which have accompanied man since the beginning of civilization and which, however, have never been that greatly exposed and articulated in such a direct way. In the world of modernity and uncertain times in our ‘liquid’ life there are more and more threats and fears connected with them. He frequently tries to indicate how to prevent them and how to act in order not to feel the ‘wastes’ of postmodernity.

The sociologist tries to define what fear actually is. Among a number of various interpretations there is an interesting term which says that it is the uncertainty stemming from a lack of knowledge about a threat and what actions should be taken (Bauman 2008, 6).1 We receive detailed information about what fears look like in the world of postmodernity – how they differ from previous epochs.