What is Philosophy? by Jose Ortega y Gasset

p What is Philosophy ? By Jose Ortega y Gasset

back : 252 pages

Publisher : W . W . Norton Company 1st American Ed edition (June 1964

Language : English

ISBN-10

ISBN-13 : 66

Introduction

Lots of difference exists between the statements , `whatever I say is correct ' and `whatever correct is there in the world belongs to me Confusion occurs in the mind of Jose , because he is taking rest at the level of mind-barrier thinking that it is the final frontier . He does talk about Self Realization but there is much difference in talking

br about this subject and experiencing Self-realization . The moment one experiences such a state , all the mind-level philosophers , ancient medieval , modern and ultra-modern , vanish into thin air . It is certain that which is not practical , can not be spiritual either . In other words , every spiritual principle must stand the test of practicability The basic question is how to experience that practicability . Once you cross the mind-barrier , it is not possible to explain the experience in that level in words . Since the foundation is faulty , there is no point in discussing about the superstructure created on it by Jose . I must disagree with his arguments and conclusions , because they all spring from the level of mind . To get at the truth one has to transcend mind One has to unload the bundle of thoughts that make the mind and free oneself

Ortega 's reasons , why it is true----and why is not true

Sages (those treading the path or realization ) meditated for Ages

Wise men wrote millions of pages

Kings and Statesmen created colorful images

About this joy and happiness

This has eluded the mankind in the known history

What a profound mystery

So , the battle royal has been going on for Ages , and it has not been possible for the human beings to find a permanent solution for problems related to one 's without and within

Ortega thinks like a social-historian when he writes , Contrast such a situation with that which ruled a generation or so ago . And in surprising correspondence with that change in the public spirit , we find today 's philosopher faces philosophy in a state of mind which is completely opposite of that which his colleagues of the earlier generation found productive . So we are going to talk first of why it is that we approach philosophy in a frame of mind so different from that which ruled among yesterday 's thinkers (p .17 .Jose is a great conservative philosopher from Spain . He propounds theory of vitalism . He attaches importance to life , which we know and which we are able to perceive . For him that alone really exists . He is , thus , creating a road-block for his intended onward march and upward spiral . He is not willing to sit on the ivory tower to gaze the various perspectives of life but concerned about the nature and essence of life . Not the ideal life , but the actual , the one that is before one 's eyes . The stark realities ! Life is to be lived...