Philosophy • Spiritual Science • Freemasonry • Tarot
Philosophy • Spiritual Science • Freemasonry • Tarot |
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To begin ...with BoethiusGiven the image I have chosen above, there seems little alternative but to begin with that work so influential during Mediaeval times and out of which emerges the whole modern European philosophical impetus — yes, that is quite a statement, and if surprising in part shows how the history of philosophy and ideas is all too often neglected. Boethius, that straddler between the Roman period and his last living steps into the medieval world, provides us with not only one of the most influential texts in Western Europe with his Consolation of Philosophy, but also, in so many ways, ensures that with his influence and his references, vital earlier philosophical works are valued through European philosophical development. He harkens back to both Plato and Aristotle, and the Neoplatonists as well as both Roman and Christian thinkers. And it is to all that syncretic influx that his little book, written in prison during his final days, draws. Its popularity ensured that it ignited philosophical interest in the hearts and minds of many, of whatever station in life the reader happened to find him or herself — even Queen Elizabeth is said to have translated it into (Old) English. Its influence is evident not only Dante's and Chaucer's works on the literary spectrum, as well as on significant imagery found on major Cathedral carvings (such as Notre Dame in Paris). Resting, as it does, solidly within the bounds of orthodox Christianity, it also never attracted serious negative attention. It is a little book that, from my perspective, needs to be read by anyone aspiring to philosophical understanding and European historical influence. and Rudolf SteinerThis section is not about his vast influence in myriad areas, but more specifically about his philosophical contributions (for the former, cf 'Anthroposophy'). Also, though Rudolf Steiner has written a number of books specifically on philosophical topics, it is his Philosophy of Freedom (Die Philosophie der Freiheit) that stands as a monumental achievement yet to be critically appraised for not only its overall breadth and depth, but its originality. The book is essentially divided into two key sections, with a third in seed-form: the first fundamentally an epistemological tome; the second essentially deals with ethical concepts; and the third harkening to a future whereby a form of monism becomes possible through the striving of individuals transcending the limitations of burden. In both the former of these, Steiner argues for a form of radical individualism out of which freedom becomes not only possible, but is ultimately a position for which we are to strive. One can see, in that sense, some points of resemblance (and perhaps influence) from Nietzsche — without the latter's nihilism. Philosophy: history and developmentIt would be both imprudent and ridiculous to suggest that these two philosophers stand out in total isolation from the vast philosophical corpus. They are, rather, two giants that have their influence in the hearts and minds of vast numbers of individuals that transform social conditions. If the light of their contributions does not always appear to shine as a beacon from a tall lighthouse, it is because their influence can be described by a different metaphor: they provide a sheltered well to which one refreshes oneself from its living waters and out of which one's own inner light is itself refreshed and ignited anew. To be sure, other individuals through humanity's history have similarly had such influence. Many, it seems, finding themselves at the silencing hands of powers that fear such individuals. And even here, Boethius, as mentioned, wrote that work in prison awaiting his death, and Steiner reputedly faced an assassination attempt with the slow rise of Nazism following WWI. To consider a brief history of thought, below will be links [or rather, I am slowly working on eventually providing links] to some important figures in the development of Western (and world) philosophy.
philosophy resourcesfive keys books in philosophyBoethius Consolation of Philosophy Steiner, R. Philosophy of Freedom Deely, J. Basics of Semiotics Lonergan, B. Insight Kripke, S. Naming and Necessity philosophy links within this sitePhilosophy tab on Home page
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