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The Burden of Philosophy: Evil and the Human Condition

Kanterian, Edward (2024) The Burden of Philosophy: Evil and the Human Condition. Review of Ecumenical Studies, 16 (2). pp. 291-316. ISSN 2359-8107. (doi:10.2478/ress-2024-0020) (KAR id:107378)

Abstract

This article attempts to identify certain shortcomings in analytic philosophy as practised today. First, it identifies a disconnect between the darker aspects of the human condition and philosophers’ inability to engage with them. Second, it locates this inability in a certain logic of detachment, explored by Peter Strawson. Third, it points out problems with Strawson’s analysis, which it then tries to overcome, using Constantin Noica’s account of the Platonising attitude philosophers are perennially tempted by – one of several ways in which humans try to overcome their fallen condition. This is contrasted with Thomas Nagel’s valuable but still deficient discussion of the “cosmic question”. This brings us, finally, to a reconsideration of an older tradition in philosophy, which focused more explicitly on human fallenness. Petrarch’s Secretum meum is used as an example to show that while the failure of analytic philosophers has deep existential roots, it is not commendable. Philosophers must learn, again, to reflect on the darkness of the human soul – their own darkness.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.2478/ress-2024-0020
Uncontrolled keywords: Evil, Platonising Attitude, Peter Strawson, Fallenness, Cosmic Question, Thomas Nagel, Analytic Philosophy, Logic/Epistemology of Detachment, Constantin Noica, Petrarch, Human Condition
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > Department of Philosophy
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
SWORD Depositor: JISC Publications Router
Depositing User: JISC Publications Router
Date Deposited: 04 Oct 2024 13:59 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 13:13 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/107378 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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