José Ortega y Gasset: Objectivism, Perspectivism, and Ratio-Vitalism
José Ortega y Gasset: A Philosophical Journey
Stage 1: Objectivism (1883-1913)
Ortega y Gasset was born in Madrid in 1883, into a family with strong ties to culture and journalism. His grandfather founded the newspaper The Guardian, where Ortega later contributed. From 1905 to 1907, he traveled to Germany, a period that shaped his objectivism, culminating in the publication of Meditations on Don Quixote. His philosophical interests focused on the study of neo-Kantianism, particularly the work of Kant. He assimilated the spirit of Kant’s philosophy, considering it valuable for his own intellectual pursuits and for the future of Spain. Upon his return, he aimed to modernize Spain, advocating for a radical reform of the Spanish spirit through intellectual discipline, objectivity, clarity, and rigor. He became a prominent figure in the Spanish cultural landscape.
Stage 2: Perspectivism
The publication of Meditations on Don Quixote marked the beginning of Ortega’s perspectivism. This work introduces the theory of perspectivism and its circumstances. This stage culminates with The Theme of Our Time (1923), which seeks to overcome rationalism and modernity by grounding reason in life. This stage is characterized by two sets of ideas:
- Addressing the need for radical change in Spain.
- Critiquing European culture, aiming to transcend modernity. The notions of circumstance and perspective emerge as a means to overcome rationalism and idealism.
Stage 3: Ratio-Vitalism (1924 – 1955)
This period is defined by ratio-vitalism, where new ideas and historical reason revolve around the fundamental reality of life.
Comparison: Ortega and Nietzsche
The relationship between Ortega and Nietzsche is marked by both affinity and discrepancy. Nietzsche significantly influenced Ortega. The concept of reality as specific individual life, as understood by Ortega, has its roots in Nietzsche’s conception of life. Both thinkers consider life as the primary material for philosophical thought. However, while Nietzsche views life as fundamentally irrational and Dionysian, Ortega does not exclude reason from life. Another point of connection is the concept of perspective. For Nietzsche, perspectivism implies the absence of absolute truth. Ortega, however, does not deny the existence of truths but emphasizes their subjective, individual nature.
Historical Context
Ortega y Gasset stated that his philosophy always considered the historical situation of Spain, which he termed “The problem of Spain.” In the 19th century, Spain saw attempts to establish a liberal government, alternating between monarchical and republican solutions, eventually leading to the Bourbon Restoration. The loss of the last settlements to the United States after the War of 1898 highlighted Spain’s declining power and role on the international stage. This led to an intellectual and political movement seeking the “regeneration of Spain.” Regenerationism arose within the Generation of ’98, aiming to renew the parliamentary system of political parties based on the alternation of liberals and conservatives and modernize state structures. Ortega became a deputy during the Second Republic.
The socio-cultural context of Spain during the mid-20th century was characterized by a slow and late incorporation into the industrial revolution. The landscape consisted of a landed aristocracy and conservatives, an upper class owning factories and banks, a small middle class with limited influence, and a working class of peasants, laborers, and employees with strong associative capabilities. Two prominent features of this society were the concentration of ownership and widespread illiteracy.
Philosophical Context
In the international arena, two philosophical currents were influential:
- Neo-Kantianism: Professed at the University of Marburg.
- Phenomenology: Developed by Edmund Husserl.
These currents represented a significant effort to re-establish philosophy after a period in which science and its progress seemed to have rendered philosophy obsolete and useless.