Ortega’s Vital and Historical Reason: A Philosophical Analysis
Ortega’s Critique of Rationalism and Skepticism
The text examines Ortega’s critique of both rationalism and skepticism, arguing that neither can fully resolve the problem of existence and knowledge. Ortega’s vitalist and historicist system is presented as an alternative, addressing the clash between reason and life that has characterized Western thought.
Perspectivism as a Constitutive Component of Reality
For Ortega, perspective is a fundamental aspect of reality. Our understanding of reality is shaped by our individual circumstances and position in the universe. To approach truth, we must integrate diverse perspectives, recognizing that no single viewpoint is absolute, eternal, or universal. Knowledge, therefore, is the sum of these different viewpoints, and imposing a single perspective leads to partial and potentially erroneous conclusions.
The Importance of Cultural and Temporal Perspectives
Each culture and people possess a unique way of perceiving the world, influenced by their spatial and temporal context. Rather than imposing one perspective over another, we should complement and enrich our understanding by incorporating the viewpoints of others. This concept of tolerance extends to political, religious, and moral realms.
Overcoming Realism and Idealism
Ortega’s philosophy seeks to transcend the opposition between realism and idealism. He posits that neither things nor the self exist in isolation; rather, true reality is the self in relation to things, or living. He emphasizes that human life is the fundamental reality, with reason as its essential core. This leads to the concept of “vital reason,” which avoids the extremes of both rationalism and irrationalism.
The Concept of Vital Reason
Vital reason is not a form of rationalism that abuses reason, nor is it an irrationalist position. It acknowledges that human life requires reason. Ortega argues that the central issue of our time is to move beyond idealism and rationalism, recognizing reason as a vital function. Vital reason is capable of understanding the temporary nature of life, as life itself is the vital reason. Man lives by choosing and interpreting circumstances, transforming them into his world, which requires thought and reason.
Life as Interpretation and Context
For Ortega, to look is always to interpret, to place things within the context of our lives. Life is inherently relative, shaped by the circumstances surrounding us. As he states in “Meditations on Don Quixote,” “I am myself and my circumstances, and if I do not save it, I do not save myself.” Man’s destiny is to reabsorb his circumstances. Philosophy, therefore, is a way of thinking that emerges when needed, as a way of life. Metaphysics is a human endeavor to find a radical orientation.
Historical Reason and Generations
Man is defined by his historical situation. Vital reason is historical and can be expressed in the form of history, giving rise to “historical reason.” This replaces the “physical-mathematical reason” that has been dominant since the seventeenth century. Historical reason is descriptive and analytical. Ortega views man not as a static fact but as a dynamic process that unfolds throughout life. While vital reason functions individually, historical reason operates collectively. Each epoch is characterized by a particular sensitivity, known as a generation. Changes in sensitivity mark the transition between generations. Generations have two functions: to receive the lived experience and to express their own spontaneity. The study of generations becomes a historical study. Finally, Ortega notes that in every generation, there is a distinction between the mass and the elite.