Ortega y Gasset: Philosophy of Vital and Historical Reason

José Ortega y Gasset: Key Concepts in His Philosophy

José Ortega y Gasset was a prominent Spanish philosopher of the 20th century, known for integrating and expanding upon phenomenological and historicist ideas in Spain. Key aspects of his philosophy include:

The Circumstantial Self

Ortega adapted the phenomenological concept of intentionality, emphasizing that human beings cannot be separated from their surrounding context. Influenced by Heidegger’s notion of *being-in-the-world*, Ortega developed the concept of individual circumstance: “I am myself and my circumstances.” This highlights the interconnectedness of the individual and their environment.

Ratio-Vitalism

Ortega’s mature doctrine of ratio-vitalism asserts that life cannot be superseded by any other principle (vitalism). However, reason is not seen as an antagonist to life. This doctrine is built upon a unique understanding of human knowledge and different forms of reasoning:

• Scientific Reason: Used to understand quantifiable natural phenomena, expressible through mathematical laws.
• Vital Reason: Necessary for understanding life itself. This involves comprehending uniquely human realities, as emphasized by Dilthey. Life, according to Ortega, is the fundamental reality, and in humans, it both supports and necessitates rationality—not an abstract reason, but a *vital reason* rooted in life and capable of understanding it.
• Historical Reason: An extension of vital reason, applied to understanding all human beings within a society or civilization. Historical reason, therefore, is the comprehension of human reality as a whole.

The Structure of Historical Reason

Historical reason is structured around three core concepts:

• Tradition: That which is transmitted. We understand ourselves within a cultural tradition. Self-knowledge and the full realization of one’s potential are impossible without connecting with one’s cultural roots.
• Generation: A measure of historical time. We are part of a group that shares the same values and historical project. Ortega views generations as units transmitting cultural heritage and projecting historical achievements.
• System of Lifetimes, Beliefs, or Values: The implicit values of a society.

Within the theory of historical reason, Ortega distinguishes between:

• Ideas: Objects of thought or conclusions reached through thinking.
• Beliefs: Fundamental attitudes and positions of vital reason from which we judge or perceive the world. These biases are considered positive because they are part of the prevailing system.

Man as a Historical Being

According to Ortega y Gasset, man has no nature, but history. The human subject is not fixed or predetermined, like natural things. Therefore, humans cannot be explained by positive or scientific reason, but must be understood through historical reason.

Perspectivism

The perspectival theory of knowledge is integral to ratio-vitalism. Perspectivism rejects the abstract concept of reason found in Greek philosophy, medieval thought, and modern rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz). Every life views the universe from a specific position in time and space. Different perspectives on a single reality are compatible and complementary, as the diversity of dimensions corresponding to different perspectives is inherent to reality.