Philosophy and Reality: A Historical Approach

Abstract

Contemporary philosophy increasingly seeks its relevance amidst real-world concerns, especially given the paradigm shifts triggered by advancements in science and society. These shifts have seemingly marginalized philosophical thought, portraying it as detached theoretical speculation with no tangible connection to reality. This speculation is often criticized for its insular logic and metaphysical confines, suggesting a disconnect from practical issues. Such views, typically espoused by idealists, narrowly cast theoretical philosophy as the sole embodiment of philosophical inquiry, based on a restrictive interpretation that fails to capture the discipline's full scope. However, a closer examination of philosophy's history and its comprehensive theories reveals a discipline deeply engaged with the empirical world. Philosophical thought has historically responded to contemporary events and practices, reflecting diverse lifestyles and intellectual currents. Philosophy's history encompasses a spectrum of theoretical and empirical thought, urging scholars to unearth the strands of realism within the cognitive fields of philosophical history.