Why Philosophy Centers Philosophers Over Theories

The question of why philosophy primarily focuses on individuals rather than theories is a valid one, given that ideas alone can often be nebulous and hard to root in reality. This article explores the rationale behind this approach and how the context and the philosopher's personal experiences significantly influence the development and understanding of philosophical ideas.

The Indispensability of Philosophers

A philosophy cannot exist in a vacuum and must be associated with the human being who advances it. This is because, as Jada astutely observed, ‘ideas are nothing you can root anything in.’ Hence, if we aim to truly comprehend philosophical ideas, delving into the philosopher themselves becomes an essential step. This approach ensures that we better understand the motivations, personal context, and historical significance behind the ideas in question.

In teaching philosophy, one can approach it either by ideas or by philosophers. The latter often provides a more comprehensive understanding, especially when considering the impact of historical context on philosophical thought. Every philosopher typically builds upon the work of those who came before, embedding their ideas within a lineage of thought. This interconnectedness highlights the importance of viewing philosophy through the lens of individual thinkers.

How Context Shapes Philosophical Ideas

The historical and cultural context in which a philosopher operates plays a crucial role in shaping their ideas. For example, Hegel and Kant, despite their attempts to be.objectively neutral, often reflect the values and concerns of their respective times. This contextual influence is eloquently captured by Karl Korsch, who noted that every philosophy can be understood as 'its own epoch comprehended in thought.'

Furthermore, the late Mortiz Schlick’s ideas on science, rooted in the early 20th century, and A.J. Ayer’s critiques of thinkers like Heidegger, exemplify how philosophical ideas are intertwined with the personal and historical contexts of the philosopher. As thinking, living beings, philosophers bring their unique perspectives and biases to their work, making it more practical to categorize philosophical thought by individuals rather than isolated ideas.

The Role of Personal Context in Philosophy

Many philosophical ideas become clearer when understood within the broader context of the philosopher’s life and works. Thinkers like Nietzsche and Bataille thrive on their idiosyncrasies, while Wittgenstein’s ideas are deeply influenced by his interactions with specific philosophical problems of his time. At the University of Cambridge, Wittgenstein was often seen as immensely groundbreaking; however, many of his ideas were initially discussed and refined in the Viennese context from which they originated. This demonstrates how personal context can dramatically shape the development of philosophical ideas.

Philosophy should always be taught in a thinker-idea fashion, especially for those who wish to grasp it broadly. It is through this lens that we come to understand how personal and historical contexts significantly impact the evolution and interpretation of ideas. For example, Aquinas's ideas cannot be fully appreciated without considering the Christian polemical context that shaped them. The general philosophical misunderstanding that ideas are isolated stable particulars from one thinker to another is often incorrect. Instead, understanding the philosopher as a whole is crucial.

Teaching philosophy by thinker also allows for a more nuanced and holistic understanding of its history. Histories of ideas, while valuable, often center on the weight and influence of the thinker who espoused them rather than the ideas on their own. Consequently, studying the philosopher in relation to their ideas provides a richer, more comprehensive view of philosophical thought.

In conclusion, the focus on philosophers in philosophy education is not a detraction from the value of ideas but rather a recognition of the pivotal role that individuals play in shaping, articulating, and transmitting these ideas. Understanding the context, personal experiences, and historical significance of philosophers is key to grasping the true essence of philosophical thought.