20th Century European Philosophy: Vitalism, Historicism, and Ortega y Gasset

20th Century European Philosophy

Vitalism and Historicism

In the 20th century, two prominent schools of thought emerged in Europe: vitalism and historicism. Vitalism posited that the essence of reality transcends reason, while historicism emphasized the crucial role of history in human understanding. These trends significantly influenced the philosophy of José Ortega y Gasset, particularly his concepts of vital reason and historical reason. Thinkers during this period grappled with the complex relationship between knowledge and reality, with language often serving as a starting point for exploring existence.

The Influence of Krausism

The intellectual renewal movement spearheaded by Giner de los Ríos and the Free Institution of Education, known as Krausism, played a significant role in shaping Spanish thought. This movement, characterized by a pessimistic view of Spain, influenced prominent figures such as Miguel de Unamuno and Ortega y Gasset.

Ortega y Gasset's Intellectual Journey

Ortega y Gasset's intellectual life can be divided into two main periods: perspectivism (1914-1923), marked by a critical examination of idealism and realism, and ratio-vitalism (1923-1955), which distinguished itself from Kantian idealism.

Ortega y Gasset in Perspective

Comparison with Nietzsche

Ortega y Gasset's philosophy shares similarities with Nietzsche's, as both considered life the ultimate essence of reality. However, their interpretations differed. Nietzsche viewed life as an instinctive impulse, while Ortega, influenced by historicism, saw it as a collection of personal experiences. Both acknowledged the dynamic nature of reality, portraying life as a project in constant flux, subject to the flow of history. A key distinction lies in their understanding of time: Ortega viewed time as linear, while Nietzsche saw it as cyclical. Furthermore, they held differing views on reason. Ortega considered reason an essential human faculty, crucial for analyzing circumstances and giving meaning to history. Nietzsche, conversely, believed that reason could not grasp the fundamental essence of life, characterized by constant change.

Contrast with Descartes

Ortega y Gasset also diverged from Descartes. While Descartes asserted that true existence is solely perceived through reason, Ortega maintained that reality is subjective. Regarding anthropology, Descartes proposed a rationalist dualism, prioritizing the thinking self and relegating the body to a secondary, accidental role. Ortega's perspective differed significantly from this Cartesian dualism.