Inevitability Of Philosophy

Gadamer’s On the Natural Inclination of Human Beings Toward Philosophy follows an idea that a desire for knowledge, in researching philosophy and sciences, can be related to Plato's thaumazein, the idea of wonder. The specifically human function of thinking starts, not routinely or in merriment, but at "…a point where something strikes us as alien because it runs counter to habitual expectation." (Gadamer 143) The fascination and wonderment towards ideas Gadamer claims, "…comes to me above all in the face of the alien and the strange." (145). He is emphasizing that it is philosophy specifically, in the practice of thinking and understanding is susceptible by technology and contemporary society. "Self-knowledge alone is capable of saving a freedom threatened not only by all rulers but much more by the domination and dependence that issue from everything we control" (150). The evaluation of the importance and the inevitability of philosophy Gadamer explains in his analysis are correct and become more prevalent as society becomes more intertwined with technology and instant gratification. Humans will always have a sense of wonder, fascination, and the need to “know thyself.” (150) The desire to know will always prevail and to which Gadamer believes should be important facet, and we, as humans, should have a sense of urgency to bring people to self-understanding.

Being that the title of the overall printing is Reason in the Age of Science, it is important to stress what he is trying to refer to and the reasoning behind the argument. By calling to question what we believe, Gadamer draws in the reader by questioning how they think and understand the world in which they live in. The preliminary claim, “We live in an age that would soon c...

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...se of wanting and needing more that Gadamer points out as enabling us to figure out what would cause “perfect” control of all the spheres in our lives. (149) That is why is final paragraph can be argued as a call to action. His final agreement is to Plato’s idea of the demythologizing of science with which we can gain the ability of self-mastery. The need for people to start working towards “self-understanding” through his idea of hermeneutics is important to understand whom we as humans are and the full capabilities we can achieve. One must “know thyself” in order to prevent what inhibits are growth and control. (150) Gadamer concludes with the importance of our self-knowledge to grow as individuals. We protect our freedoms and gain knowledge by embracing our wonderment and living our life to develop and strengthen our self-knowledge and become better human beings.