Ortega y Gasset’s Philosophy: Vital Reason and Context
Ortega’s Vital Reason Explained
This text addresses the fundamental ideas of José Ortega y Gasset, specifically the need to overcome the opposition between rationalism and vitalism. Ortega proposed integrating both concepts, reason and life, into a unified framework: Vital Reason (Razón Vital). The philosopher sought to resolve the historical clash between rationalism, dominant in the 17th and 18th centuries, and Nietzschean vitalism. While rationalism prioritizes human knowledge through reason,
Read MoreEpicurean Philosophy: Attaining Happiness and Pleasure
Epicurean Philosophy Explained
Founded by Epicurus of Samos as a response to the political and human crisis of the moment, Epicureanism addressed the citizen of the polis who felt disappointed and helpless, turning inward—an individuality in pursuit of lost happiness. It resulted in a system comprising a canonical philosophy (theory of knowledge) and a physics (philosophy of nature), leading to an ethics focused on achieving a happy life. Knowledge is not an end in itself but merely a means; one
Read MoreNietzsche’s Philosophy: Will to Power, Eternal Return, Übermensch
Nietzsche’s Affirmative Philosophy
The ‘death of God’ signifies the triumph of passive nihilism but also marks the starting point for active nihilism, leading towards a philosophy that affirms life (‘says YES’). This death entails the loss of old values and faith.
The Will to Power
For Nietzsche, life is the will to power – a fundamental drive to become more, to expand, and assert itself. Interpreting this through the metaphor of life as a work of art, as presented in The Birth of Tragedy, we can
Read MoreAristotle’s Physics: Matter, Form, Change, and Cosmos
Aristotle’s Concept of Nature (Physis)
For Aristotle, physics is the study of nature (physis). Physis refers to that which has within itself a principle of motion and stationariness, as opposed to things made by humans or existing by divine intervention.
Hylomorphism: Matter and Form
Aristotle rejects Plato’s Theory of Forms, particularly the idea that forms exist separately from physical objects. Instead, Aristotle conceives the universal (form) as intrinsically linked to the physical world. Hylomorphism
Read MoreNietzsche’s Philosophy: Truth, Morality, and the Superman
Nietzsche’s Critique of Truth and Morality
Nietzsche proposes a critical history, condemning elements that hinder our performance. He argues that truth is a lie originating in language, which, as a social construct, defines what is considered true and false.
The origin of language and knowledge lies in the imagination. The mind creates metaphors, analogies, and models that are then taken as truth. This truth becomes a comfortable lie, accepted by all.
Nietzsche views the human being as precarious,
Read MoreScience and Philosophy: A Comparative Analysis
The core philosophy of science rests on a foundation of scientific knowledge derived from observation, experience, and experimentation. In contrast, philosophy delves into the human condition, seeking a vision of reality. Science progresses through development and experimentation, while philosophy is inherently reflective.
Science differs from philosophy in that it does not offer advice or guidance for a good life. Science accumulates knowledge, whereas philosophy does not. Religion, on the other
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