Filosofie op die rand

Abstract

Philosophy on the edge

The modem idea of the university initially assigned Philosophy to the heart of this institution. But the combination of this idea and an idealist philosophy soon got the better of both - the process o f modernisation fragmented the university into a disparate collection of discourses and interest groups, each struggling for control of whatever resources could be claimed. The process of modernisation, spawned by the very same Enlightenment philosophy, marginalised Philosophy within the university itself, and in society at large. What, then, does the future hold for Philosophy as an academic and a cultural endeavour? A typology of four options, reconstructed from the (albeit recent) history of Philosophy, especially since the Enlightenment, is investigated. After their merits and demerits have been outlined, proposals are made for a postmodern rehabilitation of Philosophy. These proposals centre in Philosophy as trustee of cultural literacy, multidimensional creativity, taking care of thinking itself, and, finally, Philosophy as caretaker of the otherwise).