Zasada wzajemności. Wybrane problemy

This paper presents selected problems of principle of reciprocity. Reciprocity is one of the central problems of numerous concepts explaining social relations. It starts from the ancient principle of reciprocity (do ut des − I give that you may give) and ends with contemporary theories of interactionism, theories of social exchange or the philosophy of the meeting. In the theory of social exchange reciprocity pertains to exchange. In the philosophy of the meeting this is not the case for reciprocity. Reciprocity does not signify exchange. What is common in various versions of the philosophy of the meeting is a restrictive condition of current reciprocity consisting in mutual and permanent transformation of personalities in people meeting each other.There are two sorts of authors. The first sort of authors, deny the value of the principle of reciprocity for contemporary social life. The second sort of authors refers to practical implications of the principle of reciprocity. They show value of the principle of reciprocity for contemporary customs norm, moral and social life.