Philosophy: An Apologetic Etude

Abstract

Philosophy as a cultural phenomenon, a type of worldview, an academic discipline has a difficult destiny. Society either raves about philosophical thought and practice or ostracizes and pompously distances itself from them. The authors attempt to understand the causes of this situation and highlight philosophy’s non-devaluated worth. The paper is based on existential dialectics in conjunction with a hermeneutic approach.The question of worldview’s genesis, essence and structure is addressed. The nature of philosophy’s relationships with worldview framework as a whole and its important elements, religion and science is clarified. The latter talk about providence or law. Unlike them, philosophy talks about fate – not blind, not manageable but capricious. Philosophy turns to a wayward man, supporting and strengthening his craving for autonomy in actions and thoughts as well as advising him to approach the traditions of world and national culture with intelligence and responsibility. The authors specify the interdisciplinary subject of philosophy equated with its problem field. The multi-faceted nature of philosophical problems and the irremovable subjectivity in its fixation determine ambiguity in ranking the range of issues. The authors give preference to the version rooted in Greek philosophical thought. The premises and the arguments presented in the text allow us to summarize: philosophy is neither a servant nor a mistress, but a life companion of an autonomous man. The pressure on philosophy is caused by the society’s and authorities’ ever-present suspicion towards an autonomous man.