Dr KAZIMIERZ KOPCZYŃSKI - psycholog i pedagog, adiunkt na Wydziale Nauk o Wychowaniu Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego, ukończył także studia podyplomowe z ekologii i ochrony środowiska na Uniwersytecie Łódzkim oraz z geologii na Uniwersytecie im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu. Jest autorem wielu prac psychologicznych i pedagogicznych, a także interdyscyplinarnych z pogranicza ekologii, filozofii i pedagogiki. Interesuje się również zagadnieniami ochrony dziedzictwa narodowego oraz konserwacji zabytków metalowych. 
 
Prof. dr hab. JANUSZ SKOCZYLAS - geolog, pracuje w Instytucie Geologii Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu. W swoim dorobku ma 350 prac, w tym 12 monografii, z zakresu geologii, petroarcheologii, historii nauk o Ziemi i użytkowania surowców skalnych oraz sozologii. Od 1996 roku członek International Commission on the History of Geological science w ramach Union of Geological Science (INHIGEO), a także Litewskiego Towarzystwa Przyrodników (Lietuvos Gamtos Draugija).

Summary:

Stone in religion, culture and art

Stone has accompanied man since the dawn of history until now. Ways of using stone and the variety of meanings which have been ascribed to it inclines people to deep reflection, both philosophical-historical and psychological. Spritual life of people of different cultures, also those oldest ones, is rich in cosmogenic symbols and myths. In this symbolism and mythology stone occupies a particular place. Most of all, it became a symbol of the principle of unchangeability alien to a common world. And of the unshaken stability of form, an object in which sainthood is manifested. The authors offer to the Readers a travel in space and time to various cultures - the ones which are known only from archaeological excavations and historical sources and those contemporary ones in which the cult of stone is still vivid. It is not possible simply to encompass the whole symbolism of stone in the history of mankind and the role which it has played in man's spiritual life, in his religion, culture and art. Thus this study cannot be exhaustive. It allows the Readers to become aware of and to appreciate the spiritual value of stone, and at the same time to get to know a little bit better various cultures and civilisations. 
One of the first chapters presents stone and rocks in their natural habitat. The subsequent chapters show the cult and mythology of stone. Stone monuments from these epochs are particularly impressive, and the way in which they were created has been to a great extent a puzzle until now. Next, the authors discussed the symbolism of stone in Christianity and Judaism. A separate chapter is devoted to stone in the culture and art of Japan. The Japanese have bestowed great respect on stones, and the ancient megalithism of Japan is almost the only cultural formation of this type in the world, which has been transformed into a higher culture, or civilisation. 
Relatively much space has been devoted to the discussion of the magical power of stone. In this chapter are presented views of outstanding scholars of myths and magic and religions, such as Malinowski, Mauss, Frazer, Eliade and others. A psychological and sociological perspective of dramatic rites and myths of ancient peoples and tribal communities which were ascribed to stone are described. 
In many religions and mythologies holy mountains occur. Like stone, they were the carriers of power. The likeness of mythology and symbolism of stone and mountain have been shown in the subsequent chapter. Here also are characterised the most typicaledifices of Egyptian architecture - pyramids. Also an interesting attempt at compare:, the Mountain of the World of the ancient Greece and the East with the pyramids i~ Central America by Campbell is also described. 
The next chapter treats of stone circles (cromlechs) in Poland, which provide rich information on material culture in the spiritual life of the Goths. Stone circles (cromlechs) in Poland found in Odry in Pomerania, in the village of Węsiory and those from Grzybnica were also described. 
Not only mountains but also the underground, especially caves were places of cult. In many caves rock paintings have been found, some of them magnificent. The nee: chapter was devoted to this problem. In the further part of the book the authors discussed complex problems of stone in compositions of old and modern gardens. Also more than 50 proverbs and parables have been collected for which the source has been the symbolic value of stones. Also legends which explain the origin of the shape of rock and boulders have been quoted. 
Stone is the symbol of power, mainly judiciary, and it is the subject of the penultimate chapter. The final chapter is devoted to the presence of stone in the modern culture and civilisation. Its important role in architectural decoration is shown, which serves not only satisfaction of artistic, but also has the socio-political dimension. Also examples of modern sculptures in stone are given. 
Reflecting more thoroughly on the essence of stone, we can see its peculiar phenomenon, consisting in this that it is at the same time an object of nature, of religious cult, as well as a material for art. This peculiar universality of stone makes it also extremely interesting for philosophical reflection. For all these reasons, stone deserves particular protection, both in nature as well as in architecture and sculpture. 
 
Spis treści:

Wstęp 
1. Kamień i skały w naturalnym środowisku 
2. Kult kamienia w religiach megalitycznych 
3. Mit Apollina i kult kamieni w starożytności grecko-rzymskiej 
4. Symbolika kamienia w chrześcijaństwie 
5. Symbolika kamienia fundamentalnego w judaizmie 
6. Kamień w kulturze i sztuce Japonii 
7. Magiczna moc kamienia 
8. Kamień i góra - podobieństwa mitologii i symboliki 
9. Kamienne kręgi w Polsce 
10. Kamień i podziemia 
11. Alchemia i kamień filozoficzny 
12. Kamienne budowle w sztuce ogrodowej 
13. Kamień w legendach, przysłowiach i przypowieściach 
14. Kamień jako symbol władzy - głównie sądowniczej 
15. Obecność kamienia we współczesnej kulturze i cywilizacji 
Bibliografia 
Stone in religion, culture and art (Summary)