Jan Patocka's contribution to phenomenology and the philosophy of history mean that he is considered one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century. Yet, his writing is not widely available in English and the Anglophone world remains rather unfamiliar with his work. In this new book of essential Patocka texts, of which the majority have been translated from the original Czech for the first time, readers will experience a general introduction to the key tenets of his philosophy. This includes his thoughts on the relationship between philosophy and political engagement which strike at the heart of contemporary debates about freedom, political participation and responsibility and a truly pressing issue for modern Europe, what exactly constitutes a European identity? In this important collection, Patocka provides an original vision of the relationship between self, world, and history that will benefit students, philosophers and those who are interested in the ideals that underpin our democracies. Jan Patocka's thinking has long exercised a subterranean influence on late 20th-century philosophers and intellectuals struggling with understanding the human condition in the modern world. With a unique blend of phenomenology, retrieval of Platonic and Aristotelian motifs, and Eastern European literary and philosophical sources, Patocka's writings are exceptional for both their originality and non-conformity with respect to established traditions of thought. This significant collection of Patocka's writings in English is sure to draw much needed attention to a philosopher whose commitment to 'care of the soul' and 'life in truth' -- the hallmarks of a philosophical life and the life of philosophy itself -- in an age where living in relation to the world in truth has become ever so precarious.