José Ortega y Gasset: Philosophy, Context, and Enduring Influence

José Ortega y Gasset: Historical Context and Thought

The historical period José Ortega y Gasset lived through was shaped by significant national and international events. It included major international occurrences such as the World Wars, the Russian Revolution, the rise of fascism in Italy, Nazism in Germany, and Stalinism in the Soviet Union.

In Spain, this era encompassed the loss of its colonies in Cuba and the Philippines, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the Second Republic, the Civil War, and Franco's dictatorship. All these events profoundly influenced Ortega's trajectory and political thought. His philosophy, sociology, and metaphysics remained deeply connected to his circumstances.

Ortega analyzed the political processes unfolding in Spain, noting:

• Spain's industrial and sociocultural backwardness compared to Europe, caused by widespread illiteracy, the lack of a prepared cultural elite, and a pervasive "cacique" system.
• The limited impact of Regenerationist ideas compared to the flourishing literary creativity of the Generation of '98.
• The contrast between heightened literary creation and the lack of original philosophical thought, which necessitated importing ideas from Central Europe, such as Neo-Kantianism, Phenomenology, and Existentialism (Heidegger).

Ortega praised Spain's acclaimed literary generations: '98, '14, and '27. He also highlighted the creation of vital cultural spaces like the Ateneo de Madrid. He emphasized the necessity of enhancing Spanish philosophical thought by connecting with its European roots. Key figures he engaged with include Husserl and Heidegger (phenomenology), Sartre (existentialism), and Bergson (vitalism and historicism). Wittgenstein's analytical philosophy also played a role in the broader intellectual landscape.

Philosophical Influences on Ortega

Ortega's philosophy drew from significant sources:

• German Idealism: Particularly Immanuel Kant, who emphasized the autonomy and dignity of reason. Ortega's early youth was marked by Neo-Kantian influence, stemming from his studies in Germany with Hermann Cohen and Paul Natorp.
• Friedrich Nietzsche: He was also influenced by Nietzsche's syncretism, which left a profound "raciovitalist" mark on his thought. From Nietzsche, Ortega adopted the idea that reality is consistent only in relationships, and knowledge can only be gained through perspectives or individual interpretations, not universal ones.
• Historicism: This posits that historical reason is subject to prejudices from which provisional theories of reality are constructed.
• Phenomenology: From Edmund Husserl, he adopted the ideal of analyzing things to discover how they appear, leading to the discovery of intentionality.
• Existentialism: His conception of human nature, influenced by existentialist thought, defines a person not as a priori, but as what they decide to be through their actions and life choices.

Ortega's Legacy and Impact

Given the challenging circumstances of Spanish history, Ortega's philosophy found acceptance, though it was not wielded as a weapon for Spain against other nations. His influence on political essays is widely recognized, particularly through his magnificent analytical articles for the press.

Ortega was an essayist with an impeccable linguistic style, influencing generations of writers and journalists. Furthermore, he established and consolidated the foundations of modern Spanish philosophy alongside figures like Xavier Zubiri and Manuel García Morente.

The philosophy of exile, notably that of José Gaos, acknowledged its debt to Ortega. His disciple, María Zambrano, also produced notable work of significant importance. Ortega's enduring influence extends to contemporary thinkers like Fernando Savater and José Luis López Aranguren.