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The
nineteenth-century idealist
philosopher Georg Hegel noted that
"the
owl of Minerva spreads its wings only when dusk begins to fall
".
He meant that philosophy only understands an historical era when that era comes to an end.
The reverse is true as well. When philosophy can understand an era, then we can assume that that era is ending.
Why philosophy? Why not science, or even religion?
It is not sufficient just to be a scientist. The scientist understands only the rational half of reality. For the scientist, only the rational is real.
It is not sufficient just to be a mystic. The mystic understands only the intuitive half of reality. For the mystic, only the feelings are real.
The philosopher's task is to blend reason and emotion together into an harmonious conception of reality that is suitable for the needs of his times.
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@2003 Ian Heath
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Rights Reserved
The copyright is mine and the articles are free to use. They can be reproduced anywhere, so long as the source is acknowledged.
Ian
Heath
London, UK
www.modern-thinker.co.uk/
e-mail address:
ianheath9.mt<at>discover-your-mind.co.uk
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