“What Is Philosophy?” The Status of Non-Western Philosophy in the Profession

Author(s)Robert C. Solomon
JournalPhilosophy East and West
AbstractThis article explores the challenges and limitations faced by contemporary philosophy, particularly in its Western-centric perspective. The author critiques the tendency of Anglo-American and European philosophers to dismiss or ignore the rich philosophical traditions of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Native America, considering them as “not philosophy.” The article emphasizes the importance of both critical thinking and passionate vision as integral components of philosophy, highlighting the need for self-reflection and the inclusion of diverse perspectives. It argues against an overly narrow and exclusive approach to philosophy, which alienates non-Western traditions and impedes meaningful engagement with the broader human experience. The article calls for a revision of the concept of philosophy, recognizing its historical and cultural context and accepting a broader range of philosophical modes, including metaphor, myth, and analogical thinking. It advocates for a more inclusive and balanced philosophical discourse that embraces various traditions and approaches while still maintaining the clarifying and illuminating aspects of analytic philosophy. Ultimately, the article suggests that the future of philosophy lies in finding a harmonious balance between different philosophical perspectives, akin to the concept of Yin and Yang.
This content was generated by artificial intelligence using the text of the original work.
Keywords ideal theory, Rawlsianism, feminism, non-ideal theory, racism and justice
This content was generated by artificial intelligence using the text of the original work.
Date Published January 2001
Volume51
Issue1
Pages100-104
DOI10.1353/pew.2001.0016
URLhttps://muse.jhu.edu/article/26526/pdf
Google Scholar Linkhttps://scholar.google.com/scholar?cluster=7463215465011384313&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5
Open Access?No

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