Critique of Reason Projects with Reference to Antiquity: I. Kant and the Platonic Ideas, E. Husserl and The Mnemosinean Enticement, A.-T. Tymieniecka and the Dyonisian Logos

Abstract

Every new movement in the phiolosophical thought is not only new, but is always a repetition, a returning to the roots, to the Antiquity. New is not only something that takes place for the first time: it is conscious or unconscious meeting, a short-circuit with what has already taken place; it marks a break in the straight forward movement, but it is also a circularity, a returning back to the by-gone. This feature, in turn, enhances the poignancy of the actual situation, it imparts an ontological dimension to life

The paper deals with the analysis of the notions of “ideas” (Plato, I. Kant), “memories” (E. Husserl) and “the logos of life” (A.-T. Tymieniecka), which serve in modern philosophy, especially phenomenology, for the enhancement of the topicality both of the heritage of the Antiquity and of the issues of present-day relevance.

Motto The particular Greek manner of reasoning and expounding of thoughts I take to be the distinctive feature of philosophy. The question of philosophy is first and foremost a question of language.

Emmanuel Levinas