Karel Kosík, one of the most innovative Czech philosophers, was born in Prague on July 26th 1926; he studied at a gymnasium in Slovenská Street in Prague. On November 17th 1944 was arrested by Gestapo for illegal antifascist activity in resistance group Předvoj; prisoner at Pankrác in Prague and later deported to Terezín (Small Fortress).

  He studied philosophy at Philosophical faculty of the Charles University in Prague, Philosophical faculty of the Leningrad University and Philosophical faculty of the Lomonosov University in Moscow. He graduated in 1950 in Prague at the Charles University. In this part of his life he met his future wife Růžena Grebeníčková (later laureate of Herder prize), from this marriage came three children (Antonín Kosík, Irena Kosíková and Štěpán Kosík).

  During years 1952 - 1969 he is working as a scientist at FÚ ČSAV. He is invited to give lectures all over the world (Venetia - 12th International philosopher congress, Mexico - 13th International philosopher congress). In 1963 is published his major work the "Dialectics of the Concrete - A Study on Problems of man and world". Since 1968 he is regular professor of philosophy at Philosophical faculty of the Charles University till 1970, when he is excommunicated.

  From 1971 till 1990 repeated visits from the state police (StB) at his home; confiscating of his manuscripts, notes and books. The complete work of Karel Kosík is banned in all state libraries.

  After the revolution in 1989 is Karel Kosík again at the Charles University (1990 - 1992) and FÚ AV ČR (1992 - 2003). He is invited to give lectures in Europe (Prague, Barcelona, Paris). He is in 1999 awarded Tom Stoppard Prize by Charta 77 for his book "Předpotopní úvahy"; in 2001 in Klementinum - Mirror Chapel is given to Karel Kosík Artis Bohemiae amicis Prize by Czech ministry of Culture. Karel Kosík is dying in Prague February 21st 2003.