José Ortega y Gasset: Philosophy and Influence
Influences
I. Spanish Intellectual Movements
The Generation of ’98 (mainly Unamuno, who maintained a cordial, yet controversial, relationship with Ortega due to Unamuno’s contempt for Europe and science) and the Regenerationist Movement. Ortega criticized the intellectual, social, and political life of Spain, believing it needed a radical overhaul incorporating philosophy into cultural life.
II. German Philosophy
In an effort to improve his country, Ortega studied philosophy in Germany, where he absorbed
Read MoreThomas Aquinas: Faith, Reason, and the Existence of God
The Harmony of Faith and Reason
Thomas Aquinas (TA) asserted that truth comes from God, thus precluding any true contradictions. While theological and philosophical truths occupy distinct realms, they cannot conflict. Any philosophical truth contradicting revealed truth indicates an error in the philosophical reasoning.
TA charted a middle course between the theory of double truth and the prevailing confusion. Like Augustine, he believed that faith and reason are separate but interconnected areas
Read MoreHumanity, Society, and Political Philosophy
How We Become Human
We become human through interaction—word and look. A look confirms our existence, bestowed upon us by others. We cannot exist without the other.
Sartre’s “Hell is Other People”
Jean-Paul Sartre’s famous quote, “Hell is other people,” suggests that others are the source of misery and loneliness. Being alone, in this view, would be paradise.
Sabater’s Disagreement
Sabater disagrees with Sartre.
Why Sabater Disagrees with Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher believed societies are products of
Read MoreMarxist Anthropology and Humanism: Philosophical Framework
3) Marx’s Anthropology
Human alignment results from a particular socio-economic historical situation. Related to this is the human essence.
Characteristics:
- Man is a natural being with natural requirements that must be met to ensure subsistence. Work is the means of satisfying them.
- Man is unique because they are separated from nature through labor. At work, man transforms nature to put it at their service, considering their needs.
- The understanding of man as a worker implies a natural transformation
Aristotle’s Political and Natural Philosophy
Man as a Political Animal
For Aristotle, man is by nature a political animal. Unlike animals and gods, humans cannot live in isolation. Our natural inclination towards reproduction and preservation leads us to live together, first in families, then in villages, and finally in the city-state. A well-functioning city-state requires not only shared goals but also sensible laws that respect differences and promote civic responsibility. Aristotle identified three legitimate forms of government: monarchy
Read MoreCitizenship: From Ancient Greece to the Enlightenment
1. The Concept of Citizenship
Citizenship is a legal-political status recognizing rights and freedoms. It defines the relationship between an individual and their state, governed by the state’s substantive law.
2. Nation and State
Nation
The term “nation” has two meanings:
- Cultural/Ethnic Nation: A community sharing cultural traits (language, religion) distinct from neighbors.
Nationalist ideology principles:
- Cultural identity endures over time.
- Every cultural nation has a right to nationhood and political