The Enduring Philosophical Attitude & The Problem of Being
Enduring Relevance of the Philosophical Attitude
The main features of the philosophical attitude and philosophy that ensure its continued value, similar to its importance in Greek culture, are:
- Problematizing: Although philosophical thinking varies, it has always been characterized by a peculiar way of addressing problems more than solving them. Precisely, the value of philosophy often lies not in providing answers but in the questions it formulates.
- Universality: It is not limited to a specific area but attempts to cover all reality. Philosophy serves to establish connections between various sciences, between science and everyday life, between science and ethics, and between ethics and art.
- Critical: It involves radical inquiry, tackling issues at their root and taking nothing for granted. Philosophy questions everything that claims to be knowledge. It attempts to discover errors, fallacies, and ideological manipulations.
- Clarifying: Many problems arise from confusion created by a poor understanding of our language. Philosophy is an activity consisting of conceptual analysis. Its goal is liberating, as many misconceptions trap us without offering a way out. The value and role of philosophy help us escape these traps.
- Practical: Although often presented with a high degree of abstraction, its interest lies in orienting ourselves in life. Thus, it has been said that philosophy is an art of living. We cannot succeed without it. As we all seek our way of life, we need guidance that questions assumptions and leads us toward solid understanding.
The Philosophical Problem of Being
The term ‘problem’ is used in many ways. We can simplify these uses by grouping them into two main senses:
- Vital Sense: A problem is an obstacle, an impediment, or a barrier to our purposes or goals.
- Theoretical Sense: A problem is an issue we need to clarify or resolve because our current explanation is unsatisfactory.
There are many types of problems: logical, mathematical, philosophical, etc. In all cases, theoretical problems are formulated as a question. To solve these problems, a rational, coherent, and satisfactory answer must be given.
Intimately related to the general problem of being, there are several issues that have interested philosophers throughout the centuries. These include the relationship between being and becoming, which seems paradoxical, and the positions of spiritualism and materialism regarding these questions.
Being is constituted by all that exists or is. This affirmation, however, is problematic and not immediately obvious.
In a limiting sense, reality is considered whatever we experience. In a broader sense, it is judged that not only observable material beings (studied by science) exist, but also subjective realities that we know intimately.
Even becoming and the flow of time, as well as change, have been major philosophical problems since antiquity. Heraclitus believed the secret of reality lies in eternal becoming. In contrast, Parmenides thought true reality is immutable.
Generally, we distinguish between reality and how we perceive it. We often consider reality itself to be constant, while our perception of it changes. We usually distinguish:
- Reality: The set of all objects that possess being by themselves, independently of a subject perceiving them.
- Appearance: The way reality manifests itself to perceiving subjects.
The relationship between reality and appearance has led to controversial discussions: some see appearance as a representation of reality, while others consider it an occultation.