Introduction: The History of Western Philosophy
Philosophy entered man’s history thousands of years ago. The Western Philosophy all started in Greece and later spread not only in Europe but in the whole world. The history of philosophy is divided in four eras. These are Ancient Philosophy, Medieval Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, and Contemporary Philosophy. The Ancient Philosophy focused on the basic stuff of the world. The ancient people wondered so much about the creation of the universe and its basic element/s. People wondered about “what” the start of existence was. They looked at the world full of wonderment and amazement. The Medieval Philosophy focused more on the existence of God. During the medieval ages, people focused their thinking on God and religion. They would also consider God as the start of all. It is also the time where Christianity is in its triumph. Theology was better supported by Philosophy as if it was its handmaid only that, there are things that are for faith alone and there are things for reason alone. They have boundaries because they are different sciences. The Modern Philosophy focused on the existence of the “ego.” The “I” was the focus of the philosophical inquiry. All the topics and discussions were focused in the “ego.” God was not talked about during those times. The Contemporary Philosophy focused on the existence of the “Other/s.” The need for objectivity and relationship was emphasized through the “Other.” Relationship was greatly highlighted. Aside from the “turn-to-others”, it was also the time of “turn-to-language.” Language is important especially in relating with others. It is the medium of communication which later leads to relationship.
Contemporary Philosophy: “Turn-to-Others” “Turn-to-Text”
Contemporary Philosophy, in the history of western philosophy, is the time wherein the focus of philosophy is the existence of others and the use of language. It is presently the trending philosophy. We are now living in the contemporary world. It is the “Turn-to-Others” and the “Turn-to-Language.” The focus is the “Other” to show that man is not solipsistic and man longs to extend himself to other subjects like him. With the help of others, the objectivity of the world is possible. The objectivity of the world cannot be achieved only by the ego. It needs other subjects like him for the objectivity to be possible. Aside from the objectivity of the world, relationship is also highlighted. Relationship cannot happen with the ego alone. It can happen if there are more egos present. The very basic relationship is the “I-Thou” relationship (Buber). It can extend more to the relationship with the community (Scheler). The examples of philosophies during those time were Husserl’s “Intersubjectivity”, Heidegger’s “Mitsein”, Scheler’s “Person” and “Community”, Levinas’ “Face”, Buber’s “I-Thou”, etc. All focused on the relationship with the “Other/s.”
Aside from (the) “Other/s”, language is also the focus of contemporary philosophy. The use of language is highlighted because it bridges the ego to other subjects. Communication is possible with language. Later, relationship is established through it. With the medium of language, thoughts and ideas can be passed, shared and expressed. Of course, we cannot deny the fact that language has its limitations. There will always be limitations in language. Let us consider that language cannot really capture the pure eidos. It even distorts them. The interpretation of the “Other” also matters. That is why during the contemporary era, philosophies like Linguistic Analysis and Hermeneutics existed to achieve the correct interpretations. The examples of contemporary philosophies which focuses on language are Heidegger’s “Destruction”, Frege’s “Sense and Reference”, Russell’s “Denotation”, Derrida’s “Deconstruction”, etc.
The Relevance of Contemporary Philosophy to the Seminary Formation
Contemporary Philosophy refers to the era wherein the focus of philosophical inquiry is the “Other” and the “Language.” It is the “Turn-to-Other” and the “Turn-to-Language.” The focus is on the “Other” in order to achieve the objectivity of the world. Other subjects are needed for the objectivity of the world be possible. Building relationship with others is also emphasized considering that we humans are relational beings in nature. We are not meant for our self alone. We are meant for others. Language is also emphasized because it is used in relating with other egos. It is the medium of communication which later leads into relationship. Relationship always starts with communication. In relation to the seminary formation, what is really the relevance of the contemporary philosophy in the formation? How is it important in the priestly ministry?
Contemporary Philosophy is important/relevant in the seminary formation because, it teaches us how important others are and how important building relationship is. Building relationships within the seminary community is really important for the effectiveness of the formation. With relationship, formation is possible. In fact, it is the start of formation. Priest-Formators can only form seminarians if they had built relationship with us (seminarians). As future priests, the demands in us are much greater. Priests are to relate with, not only with priests but also with the ordinary people (in all classes). It is also important in the ministry because a parish priest can only shepherd God’s people by building first relationship with them. One cannot directly impose something to someone whom he had not built relationship with. Another thing which is important for the priesthood is the dialogue with people. Relationship starts with ordinary conversations. Priests should talk to the people in order for them to know their context and to know how they would look at things. In that way, priests will somehow understand where they (people) are coming from. Through conversations and dialogues, the relationship of the priests and the people are being intensified and are continually growing.
Philosophy entered man’s history thousands of years ago. The Western Philosophy all started in Greece and later spread not only in Europe but in the whole world. The history of philosophy is divided in four eras. These are Ancient Philosophy, Medieval Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, and Contemporary Philosophy. The Ancient Philosophy focused on the basic stuff of the world. The ancient people wondered so much about the creation of the universe and its basic element/s. People wondered about “what” the start of existence was. They looked at the world full of wonderment and amazement. The Medieval Philosophy focused more on the existence of God. During the medieval ages, people focused their thinking on God and religion. They would also consider God as the start of all. It is also the time where Christianity is in its triumph. Theology was better supported by Philosophy as if it was its handmaid only that, there are things that are for faith alone and there are things for reason alone. They have boundaries because they are different sciences. The Modern Philosophy focused on the existence of the “ego.” The “I” was the focus of the philosophical inquiry. All the topics and discussions were focused in the “ego.” God was not talked about during those times. The Contemporary Philosophy focused on the existence of the “Other/s.” The need for objectivity and relationship was emphasized through the “Other.” Relationship was greatly highlighted. Aside from the “turn-to-others”, it was also the time of “turn-to-language.” Language is important especially in relating with others. It is the medium of communication which later leads to relationship.
Contemporary Philosophy: “Turn-to-Others” “Turn-to-Text”
Contemporary Philosophy, in the history of western philosophy, is the time wherein the focus of philosophy is the existence of others and the use of language. It is presently the trending philosophy. We are now living in the contemporary world. It is the “Turn-to-Others” and the “Turn-to-Language.” The focus is the “Other” to show that man is not solipsistic and man longs to extend himself to other subjects like him. With the help of others, the objectivity of the world is possible. The objectivity of the world cannot be achieved only by the ego. It needs other subjects like him for the objectivity to be possible. Aside from the objectivity of the world, relationship is also highlighted. Relationship cannot happen with the ego alone. It can happen if there are more egos present. The very basic relationship is the “I-Thou” relationship (Buber). It can extend more to the relationship with the community (Scheler). The examples of philosophies during those time were Husserl’s “Intersubjectivity”, Heidegger’s “Mitsein”, Scheler’s “Person” and “Community”, Levinas’ “Face”, Buber’s “I-Thou”, etc. All focused on the relationship with the “Other/s.”
Aside from (the) “Other/s”, language is also the focus of contemporary philosophy. The use of language is highlighted because it bridges the ego to other subjects. Communication is possible with language. Later, relationship is established through it. With the medium of language, thoughts and ideas can be passed, shared and expressed. Of course, we cannot deny the fact that language has its limitations. There will always be limitations in language. Let us consider that language cannot really capture the pure eidos. It even distorts them. The interpretation of the “Other” also matters. That is why during the contemporary era, philosophies like Linguistic Analysis and Hermeneutics existed to achieve the correct interpretations. The examples of contemporary philosophies which focuses on language are Heidegger’s “Destruction”, Frege’s “Sense and Reference”, Russell’s “Denotation”, Derrida’s “Deconstruction”, etc.
The Relevance of Contemporary Philosophy to the Seminary Formation
Contemporary Philosophy refers to the era wherein the focus of philosophical inquiry is the “Other” and the “Language.” It is the “Turn-to-Other” and the “Turn-to-Language.” The focus is on the “Other” in order to achieve the objectivity of the world. Other subjects are needed for the objectivity of the world be possible. Building relationship with others is also emphasized considering that we humans are relational beings in nature. We are not meant for our self alone. We are meant for others. Language is also emphasized because it is used in relating with other egos. It is the medium of communication which later leads into relationship. Relationship always starts with communication. In relation to the seminary formation, what is really the relevance of the contemporary philosophy in the formation? How is it important in the priestly ministry?
Contemporary Philosophy is important/relevant in the seminary formation because, it teaches us how important others are and how important building relationship is. Building relationships within the seminary community is really important for the effectiveness of the formation. With relationship, formation is possible. In fact, it is the start of formation. Priest-Formators can only form seminarians if they had built relationship with us (seminarians). As future priests, the demands in us are much greater. Priests are to relate with, not only with priests but also with the ordinary people (in all classes). It is also important in the ministry because a parish priest can only shepherd God’s people by building first relationship with them. One cannot directly impose something to someone whom he had not built relationship with. Another thing which is important for the priesthood is the dialogue with people. Relationship starts with ordinary conversations. Priests should talk to the people in order for them to know their context and to know how they would look at things. In that way, priests will somehow understand where they (people) are coming from. Through conversations and dialogues, the relationship of the priests and the people are being intensified and are continually growing.