The Wise Expedition: A Story of the History of Western Philosophy: A Story of the History of Western Philosophy

Author: Han Donghui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: The changes in Western philosophy in the 20th century were as rapid, intense, and complex as those in social life. The analysis of language and the reconstruction of ideas may be one of the main threads of the kaleidoscopic philosophical trends of the time. This era is too close to us; its philosophy has not yet been refined, and we can only outline some representative thoughts. It is said that Western philosophy has moved from the "modern" to the "postmodern," with foundational and unified wisdom breaking down and collapsing into fragmented metaphors. As the clamor of the "postmodern" nears its end, philosophy will reshape the character of "loving wisdom."
In fact, philosophy does not have a uniform history; the diverse types of philosophical histories written by different scholars bear witness to this. If we compare philosophical thought to "paths," then originally there were no paths. As more people walked them, they became paths. When people realized the importance of these paths, they began to actively plan and create various roads, connecting new and old ones, rebuilding new paths on old ones—there are loop roads, straight roads, and even overpasses. Wittgenstein used such a metaphor: "Our language can be seen as an ancient city: it is a maze composed of intricate narrow streets and squares, houses of various ages, and houses added in different periods. Surrounding all of this are many new districts with straight streets and neatly arranged houses." [Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations, Section 18, Beijing, Commercial Press, 1996. Perhaps the history of philosophy is similar. When we write the history of philosophy, we must naturally focus on its lineage of inheritance, innovation, and development, but we should also respect its "logic" in every era, every culture, and even in every philosopher. The history of philosophy is not a grand master plan for urban development but a museum showcasing the exquisite artistry of many skilled craftsmen. This museum may be classical, modern, or even "postmodern," but no matter what, each exhibit within it is unique.
As a supplementary reader for the Renmin University of China's humanities quality course Wisdom of Western Philosophy, this book is not a standard textbook on the history of Western philosophy but an introductory reading on it. We hope to present the profound and extensive thought of Western philosophy by outlining its spirit and historical evolution. We have tried to approach it in a simple yet profound manner, using engaging prose rather than academic jargon, while still preserving the essential character of philosophy and the pursuit of wisdom. We hope it can serve as a stepping stone, inspiring readers to eventually encounter a more perfect narrative of the history of Western philosophy.