Dr. H.J. van der Bijl se filosofiese denkraamwerk - ’n histories-fllosofiese oorsig

Abstract

The philosophical cognitive framework of dr. H.J. van der Bijl - a historicphilosophical overview

The great achievements of H.J. van der Bijl on the industrial scene in South Africa as a whole and in Vanderbijlpark in particular are widely known. What is less commonly known is that the vision and ideals on which these achievements are based, are grounded in the humanist-scientistic philosophy of the Renaissance a n d the Enlightenment. From a Christian-Reformational point of view it will be a rgued that the deepest ideals of Van der Bijl were never realised, and can never be realised. From a Reformational point of view the basic reason why Van der B ijl’s ideals were not realised, is to be found in a lack of a biblically orientated life a n d worldview, and especially a biblically orientated anthropology. Because of his scientism Van der Bijl overrated human abilities to create an utopia on the basis of scientific knowledge and he underrated the effect o f sin on human nature. Van der Bijl also ignored God’s will for humanity and society; he judged the human being as autonomous and ignored the fact that man is merely a steward of God's properly and not the owner.