Irrationalism

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Irrationalism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the early 19th century, [1] emphasizing the non-rational dimension of human life. As they reject logic, irrationalists argue that instinct and feelings are superior to reason in the research of knowledge. [2] [3] [4] The term has often been used as a pejorative designation of criticisms against rationalism as a whole. [5]

The philosophy of rationalism, understood as having first emerged in the writings of Francis Bacon and René Descartes, has received a variety of criticisms since its inception. [1] These may entail a view that certain things are beyond rational understanding, that total rationality is insufficient or even harmful to human life, or that people are not instinctively rational and progressive. [5] [3]

History

György Lukács has argued that the first period of irrationalism arose with Schelling and Kierkegaard, in a fight against the dialectical concept of progress embraced by German idealism. [6]

Ontological irrationalism, a position adopted by Arthur Schopenhauer, describes the world as not organized in a rational way. Since humans are born as bodies-manifestations of an irrational striving for meaning, they are vulnerable to pain and suffering. [7]

Oswald Spengler believed that the materialist vision of Karl Marx was based on nineteenth-century science, while the twentieth century would be the age of psychology: [8]

"We no longer believe in the power of reason over life. We feel that it is life which dominates reason."

Oswald Spengler. Politische Schriften, 1932. [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 Callahan, Gene; McIntyre, Kenneth B., eds. (2020). "Introduction". Critics of Enlightenment Rationalism. Palgrave Studies in Classical Liberalism. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 1. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-42599-9. ISBN   978-3-030-42598-2. S2CID   243029515.
  2. "Irrationalisme". CNRTL. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  3. 1 2 Duignan, Brian. "Irrationalism". Irrationalism | Existentialism, Skepticism & Nihilism | Britannica . Retrieved 2019-09-05.{{cite encyclopedia}}: |website= ignored (help)
  4. Kukla, André (2013-01-11). Social Constructivism and the Philosophy of Science. Routledge. p. 149. ISBN   9781134567386.
  5. 1 2 "Irrationalism". Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2nd ed.). Macmillan Library Reference. 2005.
  6. Rockmore, I. (2012-12-06). Lukács Today: Essays in Marxist Philosophy. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 5. ISBN   9789400928978.
  7. Peters, M. (2014-12-03). Schopenhauer and Adorno on Bodily Suffering: A Comparative Analysis. Springer. ISBN   9781137412171.
  8. Woods, Roger (1996-03-25). The Conservative Revolution in the Weimar Republic. Springer. p. 66. ISBN   9780230375857.
  9. Spengler, Oswald (1932). Politische Schriften. Volksausgabe. pp. 83–86.