Ortega y Gasset’s Philosophy of Life and Perspectivism
Ortega y Gasset’s Philosophy
A New Philosophy for a New Time
Ortega y Gasset recognized the need for a philosophy that transcended modernity. He proposed a philosophy based on pantonomía, the study of being. This philosophy is autonomous, independent of other disciplines, and clear, accessible to all.
Life as Reality
Ortega’s philosophy centers on the concept of life as the ultimate reality. He critically analyzed realism and idealism, proposing a reality that encompasses both: a world intertwined with consciousness. This reality is life—a world influenced by the self.
Vitalism and Circumstance
Ortega identified as a vitalist, but distanced himself from irrational vitalism. He argued that life is subjective and individual. His famous phrase, “I am myself and my circumstances,” highlights the dual nature of self: consciousness and the world that shapes it. Circumstances, both limiting and enabling, shape our existence. Yet, life is also freedom, allowing us to choose and create our own path.
Life as a Project
Life, for Ortega, is temporal, shaped by our past and future choices. This makes life a project. We are constantly evolving, becoming what we will be. Life has a biographical, not just biological, nature. We are defined by our feelings, desires, and interpretations.
Perspectivism
Ortega developed a perspectivist view, influenced by Nietzsche. Epistemologically, perspective represents individual ways of knowing reality, shaped by unique circumstances. Ethically, we are obligated to understand diverse perspectives to grasp a more complete reality. Ontologically, this multiplicity of interpretations suggests that reality is perspective-dependent.
Reason and Ratio-Vitalism
Ortega embraced reason, using it in two ways: pure reason, working with abstract, universal elements for scientific advancement, and vital reason, the conscious understanding of our own lives, projects, and circumstances. This combination of life and reason defines his philosophy as ratio-vitalism.
History and Generations
Ortega viewed history as a succession of collective projects, progressing through generations. He identified an “elite” within each generation, responsible for creating trends and ideas, and the “mass” who conform to existing beliefs. He advocated for an aristocratic system where only the elite held power.