From Socrates to Sartre, and all the confusion in between

Philosophical thought and conceptualisation has existed since time began, providing among other things, principles on politics, religion, ethics and morality. That’s right, we can thank philosophy for birthing the swaggering cretins that are modern day politicians. Philosophical views have always been, and are still, constantly evolving. Just for laughs, I’m going to look at some hotly debated topics in Western Philosophy, observing the evolution of thought and theoretical disagreement between the major Philosophical big hitters from the Pre- Socratics to the Post- Modernists.

1. LIFE
Philosophers throughout time have pondered on the reasons why we exist on this perforated sphere, spinning through an endless and largely unknown vastness for no apparent reason. Even many un-philosophically minded people sometimes stop in the street and wonder why some people exist at all. What purpose do they serve? Here are just a few people whose existence I have questioned the need for: Alistair Darling, George Galloway, Piers Morgan, the entire cast of High School musical and anyone who watches My Super Sweet Shitsteen… There are many more.

Thales, widely regarded as the first Western Philosopher, believed that water was the principle of life and of all things. If this is the case it’s a wonder why we piss so much of life away after a bender. In his cave analogy, Plato considered the idea that this world was simply an imperfect representation of a perfect world; he states that we perceive the material world around like shadows on a cave wall, never seeing the actual objects, but imperfect reproductions.

The 18th Century Philosopher Immanuel Kant argued for the sanctity of life and that no man has the right to take his own life. Many contemporary existential philosophers also considered the nature of life and existence; their views were notably different to the archaic Grecian philosophers.

Nietzsche argued that when man becomes conscious of his own existence he becomes aware of its absurdity and incoherence and begins to loathe it. Good job the pessimistic Nietzsche didn’t meet Piers Morgan or witness the unnerving spectacle of High School Musical, he would have probably topped himself. Understandably.

2. DEATH
Modern Science can preserve the life of pretty much anything nowadays i.e the three thousand, two hundred and fourteen year old walking exoskeleton that is Bruce Forsyth. In light of science’s miraculous majesty, death has become a pretty undesirable eventuality, one which it seems some will do anything to avoid. Except of course the whole cast of Eastender’s who possess a voracious desire to jump in front of moving vehicles on a weekly basis. Death is another timeless issue that Philosopher’s have mused on and considered. And then reconsidered. And then argued over. And then considered again. But they’ve never stopped death from happening have they? The useless, over analysing ballbags….

Socrates argued that the philosopher should live his life preparing for death, without ever actually detailed how this should be done. (One presumes he wasn’t implying that one should simply lie down and wait for the bastard to come…) St. Augustine, a 4th and 5th Century Latin philosopher and theologian, considered the concept of a ‘just war’ and thus ‘just killing’ an issue that very much vibrates through today’s society – war on ‘terrorism’. In fairness, St. Augustine could spell ‘just war,’ maybe if Georgy Bush was taught how to spell the term he could have a go at conducting one.

Nietzsche also considered death, particularly in reference to his concept of Nihilism, which argues that life is inherently lacking in meaning or value, so death is simply the eventual and unpreventable ceasing of a cold, meaningless, bleak, mundane and valueless life. Makes you feel all warm inside don’t it. The contemporary philosopher Thomas Nagel argued that it is irrational to worry about death because when one dies one is no longer susceptible to bad things. He argues death is simply a ceasing to exist and nothing else, therefore there is no reason to fear it. If you look at it that way it does seem unreasonable to see death as a frightening prospect, nothing should frighten you at all ostensibly, unless you appear on Living’s TV’s ‘Most Haunted’ in which case the site of an unwrapped Cornish pasty would probably make you shit yourself.

3. SCIENCE
The Enlightenment Period gave birth to the veritable wrecking ball of mysticism and religion that is science. Leaving no room for irrational spirituality and blind faith, science proved to be the saviour of the universe. Philosophers and scientists have been known to clash horns, or to be accurate, test tubes and rolled up parchment. But at the same time it is widely understood that modern science as we know it stemmed from a philosophical background, the word ‘philosophy’ deriving from the Greek ‘Love of wisdom.’ If only traditional philosophical values remained today and people furthered themselves purely for the love wisdom, not just by reading heat to discover Posh Spice’s new arse size.

The classical Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote detailed scientific observations that were popular for 2000 years until the Enlightenment Period, even then many enlightenment scientists, mathematicians and philosophers used Aristotle idea’s on biology, astronomy, physics and even zoology (the study of Heat magazine). Science and Philosophy intertwined in the enlightenment period, Isaac Newton and Benjamin Franklin are two examples of the Science and Philosophy amalgamation – Newton responsible for the discovery of gravity and Franklin of electricity.

4. POLITICS
Right vs, Wrong, Good vs. Evil, Liberty vs. Persecution. Justice vs. Erm… Injustice? Philosophers have long debated the nature of politics and the way society should function to benefit its people. In his manifesto ‘The Republic’ Plato argues that justice is paramount in society, arguing that it is always better to be just than unjust. Similar to Plato, the English Renaissance Philosopher Francis Bacon created the concept of a social utopia, stating that it should comprise of “generosity and enlightenment, dignity and splendour, piety and public spirit.”

The 20th Century German philosopher Martin Heidegger joined the Nazi party in 1933 remaining a member until it disbanded in, 1945, after which Heidegger became an avid fan of Socialism. The 20th century French existentialist philosopher Jean Paul Sartre favoured a far left, arguably extremist political philosophy, opposing Heidegger’s political views. He based this left wing notion on his concept of existentialism and individual freedom. Sartre believed that freedom is nonexistent and governed by no one. Because of this Sartre lived a very liberal, almost avante garde existence, writing books and having casual sex as if it was going out of fashion. Such an individualistic lifestyle was argued against by the united and coexisting social concepts of the earlier Greek philosophers, notably Plato and Socrates.

Politics and philosophy have long coexisted, influencing and reshaping the ideas and conceptualisation of one another. It is justly argued that the extremist and somewhat disregarding policies of Heidegger, Marx and Sartre would not work in modern politics but it is the unquestionable desire for political improvement that made their philosophies so widely appreciated. It can again be argued that if such political passion and wholehearted belief in policies and ideals were a dominant part of modern politics then this country would ascend closer towards the Platonic and Baconian concepts of social utopia, not the social pootopia we currently find ourselves in.

Philosophy will be perceived how it will but few can argue against about its usefulness throughout history, although many do. The many great thinkers that the discipline has birthed and influenced again are undisputable and innumerable. Thought has evolved and adapted in Philosophy throughout history and shall continue to do so until Science eventually eradicates it completely as it has most other things that step in its way. If Science eventually eradicates Alistair Darling, High School Musical, My Super Sweet Shitsteen and those awful dressy up cliché student nightclubs I shall cease thinking philosophically, change my degree and help Science in its conquest to fight shitness.

Tom Hancocks