modern Western philosophy has a number of features, the essence of which can be understood only by comparing each other stages of its development.In classical philosophy, as is well known, the main focus has always been the knowledge of nature and society and a reasonable conversion.Most supporters of the classical idea of the direction allowed access to knowledge, in their opinion, is able to reach the truth, anyone.
thinkers who hold classical direction, thought that comprehension of the laws and principles of nature and society allow a person to rule over them.The first blow to the ideas that formed the basis of this theory, caused the French Revolution in 1879.The events then in France, clearly showed that the society, which is still considered philosophy is based on "the principles of reason", in fact, proved to be completely irrational and inhumane.
Terror, war and innocent victims led many thinkers to reflect deeply onreal possibilities of science and human reason. Subsequent events in America and Europe have forced philosophers to question the role of education in the establishment of social harmony. The most insightful philosophers of the late XIX century., when it would seem, the principles of classical philosophy finally triumphed, he suddenly began to talk about the irrationality of history andrelativity of truth. Modern Western philosophy has its origins was a period of rethinking values, which took place in that period of history.
first signs of fracture in classical philosophy can be seen in the teachings of Nietzsche, Schopenhauer and their followers. These writings clearly traced ideathat the world is not a single sound system, and progress in science may well lead to an inevitable and terrible consequences.Attempts to create a kind of comprehensive outlook absurd and ridiculous against the background of the individualization of life.Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche can be found motifs characteristic of the later stages in the development of Western philosophy, which began to dominate with about 20 years of XX century.
If you try to determine the main directions of modern Western philosophy, is called anthropologism, scientism, a return to the ideas of mystical-religious persuasion.There are new styles of thinking and fundamentally different views on the picture of the world.Around the middle of the XX century, in connection with the scientific and technological revolution, global problems of human society began to be developed over a large scale.Modern Western philosophy, driven by fear for the future of humanity, identifies three main issues whose solution is urgent:
- there between humanity and nature devastating catastrophic contradiction?
- In that case, if it exists, can it be said that such a contradiction is generated by scientific and technological progress?
- And finally, really today to stop the destruction of mankind and nature, and how to do it?
modern Western philosophy, a general description of which is ambiguous enough, offers a variety of solutions to these issues, but still modern thinkers see a way out of the current situation in the development of a common culture and the formation of new human qualities.These new human qualities include love of justice, global thinking and an aversion to any kind of violence.Modern western philosophy attempts to reinforce his ideas principles of humanism, putting on top of the man himself, and not some faceless sily.Okazalos that human consciousness is completely focused on solving instrumental problems, actually passes the main thing - the human life and its meaning.
