Understanding Perspectivism: Ortega y Gasset’s Philosophy
The text discusses the inflexible or dogmatic Objectivist philosophy, which posits that truth is singular and universal, applying equally to every individual, culture, and era. The author highlights this with the quote: “… So each system intended to hold for all times and for all men. Exempt from the critical dimension, historical or perspectivistica …” He argues that Objectivism should be articulated within a critical perspective. The concept of pure reason is replaced by vital reason, emphasizing that reason cannot be separated from life; it is vital reason that integrates life’s demands with the demands of reason.
Perspectivism: Ortega y Gasset’s Core Doctrine
Perspectivism, the fundamental doctrine of Ortega y Gasset, asserts two key principles: all knowledge is anchored to a specific point of view, and reality is inherently multiform and perspectival.
Comparing Perspectivism with Objectivism and Subjectivism
Ortega’s theory of perspective can be better understood by comparing it with two theories he deems incompatible:
Objectivism or Dogmatism
Objectivism suggests that a single, universal truth exists for every individual, culture, and age. By excluding the peculiarities of the subject, a true description of the world can be attained. From this perspective, the idea of perspective is considered an absurdity.
Subjectivism
Relativism and subjectivism ultimately lead to skepticism.
Ortega believes that defending Perspectivism allows him to overcome both Objectivism and Subjectivism. The novelty of Perspectivism lies in affirming that reality is not singular but is compulsorily viewed from a perspective of the subject. Perspective is an inherent aspect of reality, and reality has many facets.
The Nature of Reality: Self, Things, and Life
For Ortega, the truly real consists of the self and things—the things one refers to, acts upon, and relates to, whether they serve or pose obstacles. Life, the “absolute event,” is the ultimate reality, and everything is referred to it to make sense. Life is not everything, but it is a drama.
The Characteristics of Life
Life is a constant here and now, unfolding in a specific place and time. To live is to constantly be doing.
Key Characteristics of Life:
- Living is Known and Understood: It is an encounter. Knowledge characteristic of life is the immediate awareness of what we are experiencing, doing, suffering, or wanting. Our life would be nothing if we were not aware of it.
- Life is Our Life: It is non-transferable; no one can live it for us.
- To Live is to Be in the World: The world is an integral part of life.
- Life is Inevitable: The world we live in, our circumstances, are not something we can choose. The possibilities of our life are influenced by our circumstances.
- Life is Freedom: In shaping our life, we must choose the path that corresponds to our deepest being and our destination. Life is freedom, but it is also authentic.
- Life is Futurition: Life is oriented towards the future.
Circumstance and the Self
Circumstance is the set of things around us, things related to us. Each circumstance is shaped by other human beings, things, insights, ideas, and customs.
The self is one who has completely identified with their design and is actively working to bring it to fruition.
The Shift from Pure Reason to Vital Reason
Philosophy has traditionally been dominated by pure reason, which sought to ignore the particularities of each culture and subject in pursuit of universal understanding. However, Perspectivism requires replacing pure reason with vital reason, which we apply to life to understand the elements of reality.