Philosophy in the 20th century deconstructed grand narratives and emphasized the role of cultural context and language in shaping philosophers' views.
Gilles Deleuze proposed that philosophy is an art of concept creation, serving its unique purpose alongside art and science.
Deep dives
The Shift in Philosophical Assumptions
Throughout history, philosophers have developed their own systems to define the world based on intense contemplation and reasoning. It has been assumed that these systems would become more accurate and unbiased over time. However, in the 20th century, structuralists and post-structuralists challenged this notion, arguing that individual philosophers' views were shaped by their cultural context. Language was also recognized as an insufficient tool for defining the universe. These critiques led to a deconstruction of grand narratives and a reevaluation of the purpose and direction of philosophy.
Philosophy as Concept Creation
Philosopher Gilles Deleuze proposed an alternative view of philosophy, emphasizing its role as the art of concept creation. Rather than seeking objective truths, Deleuze argued that philosophers throughout history have created ontological frameworks to make sense of the chaotic reality. For Deleuze, philosophy is about developing and organizing concepts that bring order and understanding to the world. He saw philosophy as equal in importance to art and science, each serving its unique purpose.
The Components of Philosophical Systems
Deleuze described three primary components of philosophical systems: the concepts themselves, the plane of immanence, and the conceptual persona. Concepts are the building blocks of philosophy, while the plane of immanence provides the framework and logic for organizing the concepts. The conceptual persona, presented by the philosopher, gives the work context and meaning. Deleuze rejected transcendence in philosophy and offered the plane of immanence as an alternative, resolving old disputes and emphasizing the importance of creative thinking in philosophy.