Science Without
Dogmatism
33
Chapter II .
Chapter II .
Hegel Was Right_nodrm
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?
?
?
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?
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?
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?
?
?
DA
E D
ULA
S 19
Jose? Porfirio Miranda de la Parra
Hegel was right
The Myth of the Empirical Sciences
Translation by Eduardo Charpenel Elorduy
uropa? isches Denken in
eutscher Philosophie
? PETER LANG
? ? Hegel was right
DaeDalus europa? isches Denken in deutscher Philosophie
Herausgegeben von
Volker Caysa, Faustino Oncina Coves, Hans-Martin Gerlach? ,
leon Miodonski, Friedrich Tomberg und Klaus Vieweg
Band 19
? PeTeR laNG
Frankfurt am Main ? Berlin ? Bern ? Bruxelles ? New York ? Oxford ? Wien
Jose? Porfirio Miranda de la Parra
Hegel was right
The Myth of the empirical sciences
Translation by eduardo Charpenel elorduy
? PeTeR laNG Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Bibliographic Information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data is available in the internet at http://dnb. d-nb. de.
Original title: Hegel teni? a Raz? o? n
First Spanish Edition: 1989 (UAM) Me? xico
The translation of this book was realized by Eduardo Charpenel.
ISSN 0938-9547 (Print-Ausgabe)
ISBN 978-3-631-61889-9 E-ISBN 978-3-653-01087-9
(C) Peter Lang GmbH Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften Frankfurt am Main 2011
All rights reserved.
All parts of this publication are protected by copyright. Any utilisation outside the strict limits of the copyright law, without the permission of the publisher, is forbidden and liable to prosecution. This applies in particular to reproductions, translations, microfilming, and storage and processing in electronic retrieval systems.
www. peterlang. de
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Without Male's support, this book would have not been possible It is the work of the both of us
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Contents
Foreword to the first English edition
Dr. Alberto Montoya Marti? n del Campo 9
Foreword to the third Spanish edition
He? ctor Villanueva 11
Chapter I. Science and Literature 15 1. Literature and Caprice 15 2. Science Without Dogmatism 33
Chapter II . Why the Subject? 47 1. Something About Modern Physics 47 2. A Basic Principle 50 3. What Everybody Understands? 52 4. Leaving Terms Undefined? 57 5. Definitions by Decree 60 6. The Prejudice of Abstraction 67 7. Coup d'e? tat against the Subject? 71 8. Meditionism 86
Chapter III. Subject 89 1. Concept 89 2. Self-Determination 94
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 8
Contents
3. Being
4. Substance
5. On the Method 6. Time
7. Intersubjectivity 8. Causality
9. Natural Law
10. Necessary
96
98
101
105
117
122
129
134
Chapter IV. Infinite and Distinction 139 1. Pseudoinfinite 140 2. Pseudouniversal 145 3. Infinite and Universal 147 4. Imputations 152 5. Distinction 157 6. Individuality 160 7. The Bottom of the Problem 166 8. Philosophy and Faith 172
Chapter V. Logic and Natural Sciences 181 1. Dialectics 181 2. Logic 197 3. Force 201 4. Explanatory Factors 210 5. Probability 222 6. Life 227 7. Conduct 241
Chapter VI . The Man and the State 247 1. Natural Goodness? 248 2. Happiness? 270 3. Ethicity 284 4. State 306 5. Family, Society, State 325 6. Two Issues about Humans 329
Bibliography 341 Hegel's Works 345 Other 345
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Foreword to the first English edition (2011)
The English translation of Porfirio Miranda's Hegel was right is of critical importance for contemporary philosophy as well as for world affairs, since its contribution for the scientific analysis and ethical transformation of present societies is of universal reach.
Miranda's work goes beyond description and commentary of Hegel's thought, by providing a thorough integration into Hegel's propositions of the developments taking place within different disciplines during the last two centuries, and by the systematic reconstruction and ampli- fication of his thesis in the context of XX century philosophy. The result is an illuminating confirmation of the central thesis proposed by Hegel, based on historical events during this period, as well as on Miranda's own arguments.
Following a strict logical and ontological demonstration, which is a necessary condition for all philosophy, Miranda's work provides contemporary arguments for the understanding of the human essence and the State. The importance of revealing the reality of the State is crucial for an objective description, analysis and judgement of the swift transformations of human societies in the XXI century and their corre- sponding public and civil society institutions.
Human beings are the reality and finality of the State, and it has to be distinguished from government. This Hegelian idea is fully demonstrated
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 10 Hegel was right
in its rational and historical content by Miranda, providing a well sup- ported alternative to the limitations of widely accepted theories of so- ciety and culture.
Following Kant and Hegel, Miranda states that human beings are an end in themselves, and should not be considered as means for any- thing, such as power or the accumulation of wealth. The rational dem- onstration of this ethical imperative as an absolute truth, has enormous consequences for the present and future human history, challenging notions of the individual, the subject,the nature of ethics and freedom, accepted by the postmodern, self-centered and materialistic theories of society.
The recognition that ethical rationality develops gradually over the centuries lays the foundation for a critical, yet optimistic view of human existence in history. After the demonstration that self interest defines the natural human tendency, Miranda argues over the impor- tance of raising the level of ethical consciousness in all subjects, in or- der to expand the ethical exercise of individual freedom.
This message is of decisive importance at the present time of world history, when the dominant technological system which is based on the digital convergence, the global scale of production processes and markets, and the unparalleled concentration of wealth and production by large corporations and a handful of individuals, set in motion sig- nificant contradictions within the nation states as the locus of democ- racy and human rights compliance.
Science Without Dogmatism 33
Chapter II . Why the Subject? 47 1. Something About Modern Physics 47 2. A Basic Principle 50 3. What Everybody Understands? 52 4. Leaving Terms Undefined? 57 5. Definitions by Decree 60 6. The Prejudice of Abstraction 67 7. Coup d'e? tat against the Subject? 71 8. Meditionism 86
Chapter III. Subject 89 1. Concept 89 2. Self-Determination 94
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 8
Contents
3. Being
4. Substance
5. On the Method 6. Time
7. Intersubjectivity 8. Causality
9. Natural Law
10. Necessary
96
98
101
105
117
122
129
134
Chapter IV. Infinite and Distinction 139 1. Pseudoinfinite 140 2. Pseudouniversal 145 3. Infinite and Universal 147 4. Imputations 152 5. Distinction 157 6. Individuality 160 7. The Bottom of the Problem 166 8. Philosophy and Faith 172
Chapter V. Logic and Natural Sciences 181 1. Dialectics 181 2. Logic 197 3. Force 201 4. Explanatory Factors 210 5. Probability 222 6. Life 227 7. Conduct 241
Chapter VI . The Man and the State 247 1. Natural Goodness? 248 2. Happiness? 270 3. Ethicity 284 4. State 306 5. Family, Society, State 325 6. Two Issues about Humans 329
Bibliography 341 Hegel's Works 345 Other 345
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Foreword to the first English edition (2011)
The English translation of Porfirio Miranda's Hegel was right is of critical importance for contemporary philosophy as well as for world affairs, since its contribution for the scientific analysis and ethical transformation of present societies is of universal reach.
Miranda's work goes beyond description and commentary of Hegel's thought, by providing a thorough integration into Hegel's propositions of the developments taking place within different disciplines during the last two centuries, and by the systematic reconstruction and ampli- fication of his thesis in the context of XX century philosophy. The result is an illuminating confirmation of the central thesis proposed by Hegel, based on historical events during this period, as well as on Miranda's own arguments.
Following a strict logical and ontological demonstration, which is a necessary condition for all philosophy, Miranda's work provides contemporary arguments for the understanding of the human essence and the State. The importance of revealing the reality of the State is crucial for an objective description, analysis and judgement of the swift transformations of human societies in the XXI century and their corre- sponding public and civil society institutions.
Human beings are the reality and finality of the State, and it has to be distinguished from government. This Hegelian idea is fully demonstrated
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 10 Hegel was right
in its rational and historical content by Miranda, providing a well sup- ported alternative to the limitations of widely accepted theories of so- ciety and culture.
Following Kant and Hegel, Miranda states that human beings are an end in themselves, and should not be considered as means for any- thing, such as power or the accumulation of wealth. The rational dem- onstration of this ethical imperative as an absolute truth, has enormous consequences for the present and future human history, challenging notions of the individual, the subject,the nature of ethics and freedom, accepted by the postmodern, self-centered and materialistic theories of society.
The recognition that ethical rationality develops gradually over the centuries lays the foundation for a critical, yet optimistic view of human existence in history. After the demonstration that self interest defines the natural human tendency, Miranda argues over the impor- tance of raising the level of ethical consciousness in all subjects, in or- der to expand the ethical exercise of individual freedom.
This message is of decisive importance at the present time of world history, when the dominant technological system which is based on the digital convergence, the global scale of production processes and markets, and the unparalleled concentration of wealth and production by large corporations and a handful of individuals, set in motion sig- nificant contradictions within the nation states as the locus of democ- racy and human rights compliance.
According to Miranda, since we are neither good nor human by na- ture, the process of becoming a human being requires the ethical devel- opment of each individual, and the ethical transformation of the social order, as well as of all human beings. The guidance of Miranda for this enormous, yet compelling task, is now open for readers of the English language.
Dr. Alberto Montoya Marti? n del Campo
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Foreword to the third Spanish edition
More than twelve years ago, the Metropolitan Autonomous University (Iztapalapa campus) published for the very first time this work, which goes far beyond a scholarly study of the Hegelian philosophy. Now, after a long time, this work comes again to light, as brilliant and important as always.
Sooner or later, everything that is fundamental becomes a classic, and that is the case of this book, for we can find in it a series of analyses, argumentations and theses which have a significant connection with an entire philosophical tradition of twenty-five centuries that goes back to Plato and that is continued by Aristotle, Descartes and Kant, and is later recovered by Hegel. This tradition stands out for its belief in truth; a belief that is not based on blind recourses or arguments of authority, but rather on demonstration itself. In this text, Dr. Miranda reminds us that there are many things which have been demonstrated for all times, and precisely in that their actuality consists.
It is relevant in many ways that theses which are taken as truths are demonstrated: first, because it makes explicit the departure of irratio- nality, of the primitive magical thought and of the aesthetic mentality: all subjects which have been addressed in this text, taking off from the fact that we come from the animals and that rationality is not natu- ral to us. Second, it becomes manifest that civilization has to do with
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 12 Hegel was right
the progress of rationality in the world, and that would be impossible without truth and the apodictic character of it. Another of its features is the development in philosophy of what has been expressed in Chris- tian theology "Truth shall make you free" (John 8, 31). But, in what sense can a man be free other that in self-knowledge? (Nosce te ipsum) How can we choose without knowing? How can we know without truth? How can we have truth without having proofs?
The denial of truth, as it has been expressed by superficial skepti- cism, has had on axiological and psychological terms a disastrous effect --one speaks in our time of the Generation X--, for the only thing it has achieved is that lies, mental confusions and contradictions are now surreptitiously considered as absolute truths.
The important thing is that, without truth, no true compromise can exist, and without the latter a fundamental ethical attitude cannot exist either --a fundamental ethical attitude that compels us always to make this world more just and worthy.
Basing himself on his clinical data, post-kleinian psychoanalyst Wil- fred R. Bion wrote that truth is the nourishment of the soul, for only by means of it one can modify and improve the mental, emotional and material quality of life among humans. On the contrary, says Bion, lies are venom. Modern skepticism has taken charge of spreading this widely. Hegel was right is a powerful antidote against that venom.
In our times of economic globalization, it seems imperative that those of us who are impacted by it are capable of a critical revision of such process, and that is only possible if thought itself is not global or economic. In other words: we are only capable of advancing solu- tions and of proceeding accordingly if reason itself can be autonomous from the material and psychical pressures which can be exerted upon human beings.
The work the reader has in his hands offers many important sub- jects: it is impossible to address each of them in this introduction, so I will only mention a few:
1. The difference between science and literature, which consists, namely, in that the former is compelled to demonstrate the truth of its statements, while the latter is not.
2. The lack of synonymy between beauty and truth. It becomes evi- dent hereby that a work or a thesis can be beautiful and pleasant, but there is a great difference between that and something being true.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Foreword to the Second edition 13
3. The synonymy between science, philosophy and the common sub- stance, which consists in defining and demonstrating.
4. The non-empiricity of scientific concepts and, consequently, the participation of the subject in their coinage.
5. The impossibility of obtaining a posteriori the concept of science, which means it is impossible to obtain that by the means of obser- vation and generalization that scientists commonly employ.
6.
E D
ULA
S 19
Jose? Porfirio Miranda de la Parra
Hegel was right
The Myth of the Empirical Sciences
Translation by Eduardo Charpenel Elorduy
uropa? isches Denken in
eutscher Philosophie
? PETER LANG
? ? Hegel was right
DaeDalus europa? isches Denken in deutscher Philosophie
Herausgegeben von
Volker Caysa, Faustino Oncina Coves, Hans-Martin Gerlach? ,
leon Miodonski, Friedrich Tomberg und Klaus Vieweg
Band 19
? PeTeR laNG
Frankfurt am Main ? Berlin ? Bern ? Bruxelles ? New York ? Oxford ? Wien
Jose? Porfirio Miranda de la Parra
Hegel was right
The Myth of the empirical sciences
Translation by eduardo Charpenel elorduy
? PeTeR laNG Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Bibliographic Information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data is available in the internet at http://dnb. d-nb. de.
Original title: Hegel teni? a Raz? o? n
First Spanish Edition: 1989 (UAM) Me? xico
The translation of this book was realized by Eduardo Charpenel.
ISSN 0938-9547 (Print-Ausgabe)
ISBN 978-3-631-61889-9 E-ISBN 978-3-653-01087-9
(C) Peter Lang GmbH Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften Frankfurt am Main 2011
All rights reserved.
All parts of this publication are protected by copyright. Any utilisation outside the strict limits of the copyright law, without the permission of the publisher, is forbidden and liable to prosecution. This applies in particular to reproductions, translations, microfilming, and storage and processing in electronic retrieval systems.
www. peterlang. de
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Without Male's support, this book would have not been possible It is the work of the both of us
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Contents
Foreword to the first English edition
Dr. Alberto Montoya Marti? n del Campo 9
Foreword to the third Spanish edition
He? ctor Villanueva 11
Chapter I. Science and Literature 15 1. Literature and Caprice 15 2. Science Without Dogmatism 33
Chapter II . Why the Subject? 47 1. Something About Modern Physics 47 2. A Basic Principle 50 3. What Everybody Understands? 52 4. Leaving Terms Undefined? 57 5. Definitions by Decree 60 6. The Prejudice of Abstraction 67 7. Coup d'e? tat against the Subject? 71 8. Meditionism 86
Chapter III. Subject 89 1. Concept 89 2. Self-Determination 94
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 8
Contents
3. Being
4. Substance
5. On the Method 6. Time
7. Intersubjectivity 8. Causality
9. Natural Law
10. Necessary
96
98
101
105
117
122
129
134
Chapter IV. Infinite and Distinction 139 1. Pseudoinfinite 140 2. Pseudouniversal 145 3. Infinite and Universal 147 4. Imputations 152 5. Distinction 157 6. Individuality 160 7. The Bottom of the Problem 166 8. Philosophy and Faith 172
Chapter V. Logic and Natural Sciences 181 1. Dialectics 181 2. Logic 197 3. Force 201 4. Explanatory Factors 210 5. Probability 222 6. Life 227 7. Conduct 241
Chapter VI . The Man and the State 247 1. Natural Goodness? 248 2. Happiness? 270 3. Ethicity 284 4. State 306 5. Family, Society, State 325 6. Two Issues about Humans 329
Bibliography 341 Hegel's Works 345 Other 345
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Foreword to the first English edition (2011)
The English translation of Porfirio Miranda's Hegel was right is of critical importance for contemporary philosophy as well as for world affairs, since its contribution for the scientific analysis and ethical transformation of present societies is of universal reach.
Miranda's work goes beyond description and commentary of Hegel's thought, by providing a thorough integration into Hegel's propositions of the developments taking place within different disciplines during the last two centuries, and by the systematic reconstruction and ampli- fication of his thesis in the context of XX century philosophy. The result is an illuminating confirmation of the central thesis proposed by Hegel, based on historical events during this period, as well as on Miranda's own arguments.
Following a strict logical and ontological demonstration, which is a necessary condition for all philosophy, Miranda's work provides contemporary arguments for the understanding of the human essence and the State. The importance of revealing the reality of the State is crucial for an objective description, analysis and judgement of the swift transformations of human societies in the XXI century and their corre- sponding public and civil society institutions.
Human beings are the reality and finality of the State, and it has to be distinguished from government. This Hegelian idea is fully demonstrated
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 10 Hegel was right
in its rational and historical content by Miranda, providing a well sup- ported alternative to the limitations of widely accepted theories of so- ciety and culture.
Following Kant and Hegel, Miranda states that human beings are an end in themselves, and should not be considered as means for any- thing, such as power or the accumulation of wealth. The rational dem- onstration of this ethical imperative as an absolute truth, has enormous consequences for the present and future human history, challenging notions of the individual, the subject,the nature of ethics and freedom, accepted by the postmodern, self-centered and materialistic theories of society.
The recognition that ethical rationality develops gradually over the centuries lays the foundation for a critical, yet optimistic view of human existence in history. After the demonstration that self interest defines the natural human tendency, Miranda argues over the impor- tance of raising the level of ethical consciousness in all subjects, in or- der to expand the ethical exercise of individual freedom.
This message is of decisive importance at the present time of world history, when the dominant technological system which is based on the digital convergence, the global scale of production processes and markets, and the unparalleled concentration of wealth and production by large corporations and a handful of individuals, set in motion sig- nificant contradictions within the nation states as the locus of democ- racy and human rights compliance.
Science Without Dogmatism 33
Chapter II . Why the Subject? 47 1. Something About Modern Physics 47 2. A Basic Principle 50 3. What Everybody Understands? 52 4. Leaving Terms Undefined? 57 5. Definitions by Decree 60 6. The Prejudice of Abstraction 67 7. Coup d'e? tat against the Subject? 71 8. Meditionism 86
Chapter III. Subject 89 1. Concept 89 2. Self-Determination 94
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 8
Contents
3. Being
4. Substance
5. On the Method 6. Time
7. Intersubjectivity 8. Causality
9. Natural Law
10. Necessary
96
98
101
105
117
122
129
134
Chapter IV. Infinite and Distinction 139 1. Pseudoinfinite 140 2. Pseudouniversal 145 3. Infinite and Universal 147 4. Imputations 152 5. Distinction 157 6. Individuality 160 7. The Bottom of the Problem 166 8. Philosophy and Faith 172
Chapter V. Logic and Natural Sciences 181 1. Dialectics 181 2. Logic 197 3. Force 201 4. Explanatory Factors 210 5. Probability 222 6. Life 227 7. Conduct 241
Chapter VI . The Man and the State 247 1. Natural Goodness? 248 2. Happiness? 270 3. Ethicity 284 4. State 306 5. Family, Society, State 325 6. Two Issues about Humans 329
Bibliography 341 Hegel's Works 345 Other 345
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Foreword to the first English edition (2011)
The English translation of Porfirio Miranda's Hegel was right is of critical importance for contemporary philosophy as well as for world affairs, since its contribution for the scientific analysis and ethical transformation of present societies is of universal reach.
Miranda's work goes beyond description and commentary of Hegel's thought, by providing a thorough integration into Hegel's propositions of the developments taking place within different disciplines during the last two centuries, and by the systematic reconstruction and ampli- fication of his thesis in the context of XX century philosophy. The result is an illuminating confirmation of the central thesis proposed by Hegel, based on historical events during this period, as well as on Miranda's own arguments.
Following a strict logical and ontological demonstration, which is a necessary condition for all philosophy, Miranda's work provides contemporary arguments for the understanding of the human essence and the State. The importance of revealing the reality of the State is crucial for an objective description, analysis and judgement of the swift transformations of human societies in the XXI century and their corre- sponding public and civil society institutions.
Human beings are the reality and finality of the State, and it has to be distinguished from government. This Hegelian idea is fully demonstrated
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 10 Hegel was right
in its rational and historical content by Miranda, providing a well sup- ported alternative to the limitations of widely accepted theories of so- ciety and culture.
Following Kant and Hegel, Miranda states that human beings are an end in themselves, and should not be considered as means for any- thing, such as power or the accumulation of wealth. The rational dem- onstration of this ethical imperative as an absolute truth, has enormous consequences for the present and future human history, challenging notions of the individual, the subject,the nature of ethics and freedom, accepted by the postmodern, self-centered and materialistic theories of society.
The recognition that ethical rationality develops gradually over the centuries lays the foundation for a critical, yet optimistic view of human existence in history. After the demonstration that self interest defines the natural human tendency, Miranda argues over the impor- tance of raising the level of ethical consciousness in all subjects, in or- der to expand the ethical exercise of individual freedom.
This message is of decisive importance at the present time of world history, when the dominant technological system which is based on the digital convergence, the global scale of production processes and markets, and the unparalleled concentration of wealth and production by large corporations and a handful of individuals, set in motion sig- nificant contradictions within the nation states as the locus of democ- racy and human rights compliance.
According to Miranda, since we are neither good nor human by na- ture, the process of becoming a human being requires the ethical devel- opment of each individual, and the ethical transformation of the social order, as well as of all human beings. The guidance of Miranda for this enormous, yet compelling task, is now open for readers of the English language.
Dr. Alberto Montoya Marti? n del Campo
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Foreword to the third Spanish edition
More than twelve years ago, the Metropolitan Autonomous University (Iztapalapa campus) published for the very first time this work, which goes far beyond a scholarly study of the Hegelian philosophy. Now, after a long time, this work comes again to light, as brilliant and important as always.
Sooner or later, everything that is fundamental becomes a classic, and that is the case of this book, for we can find in it a series of analyses, argumentations and theses which have a significant connection with an entire philosophical tradition of twenty-five centuries that goes back to Plato and that is continued by Aristotle, Descartes and Kant, and is later recovered by Hegel. This tradition stands out for its belief in truth; a belief that is not based on blind recourses or arguments of authority, but rather on demonstration itself. In this text, Dr. Miranda reminds us that there are many things which have been demonstrated for all times, and precisely in that their actuality consists.
It is relevant in many ways that theses which are taken as truths are demonstrated: first, because it makes explicit the departure of irratio- nality, of the primitive magical thought and of the aesthetic mentality: all subjects which have been addressed in this text, taking off from the fact that we come from the animals and that rationality is not natu- ral to us. Second, it becomes manifest that civilization has to do with
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 12 Hegel was right
the progress of rationality in the world, and that would be impossible without truth and the apodictic character of it. Another of its features is the development in philosophy of what has been expressed in Chris- tian theology "Truth shall make you free" (John 8, 31). But, in what sense can a man be free other that in self-knowledge? (Nosce te ipsum) How can we choose without knowing? How can we know without truth? How can we have truth without having proofs?
The denial of truth, as it has been expressed by superficial skepti- cism, has had on axiological and psychological terms a disastrous effect --one speaks in our time of the Generation X--, for the only thing it has achieved is that lies, mental confusions and contradictions are now surreptitiously considered as absolute truths.
The important thing is that, without truth, no true compromise can exist, and without the latter a fundamental ethical attitude cannot exist either --a fundamental ethical attitude that compels us always to make this world more just and worthy.
Basing himself on his clinical data, post-kleinian psychoanalyst Wil- fred R. Bion wrote that truth is the nourishment of the soul, for only by means of it one can modify and improve the mental, emotional and material quality of life among humans. On the contrary, says Bion, lies are venom. Modern skepticism has taken charge of spreading this widely. Hegel was right is a powerful antidote against that venom.
In our times of economic globalization, it seems imperative that those of us who are impacted by it are capable of a critical revision of such process, and that is only possible if thought itself is not global or economic. In other words: we are only capable of advancing solu- tions and of proceeding accordingly if reason itself can be autonomous from the material and psychical pressures which can be exerted upon human beings.
The work the reader has in his hands offers many important sub- jects: it is impossible to address each of them in this introduction, so I will only mention a few:
1. The difference between science and literature, which consists, namely, in that the former is compelled to demonstrate the truth of its statements, while the latter is not.
2. The lack of synonymy between beauty and truth. It becomes evi- dent hereby that a work or a thesis can be beautiful and pleasant, but there is a great difference between that and something being true.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Foreword to the Second edition 13
3. The synonymy between science, philosophy and the common sub- stance, which consists in defining and demonstrating.
4. The non-empiricity of scientific concepts and, consequently, the participation of the subject in their coinage.
5. The impossibility of obtaining a posteriori the concept of science, which means it is impossible to obtain that by the means of obser- vation and generalization that scientists commonly employ.
6.
