Recent Developments

Abstract

Before going into the subject-matter of this Chapter, I wish to present a few comments on my personal attitude with regard to the specific task of a philosopher. In my opinion, the primary aim of philosophical thinking is a relatively modest one; it consists in clarifying our concepts and deepening our insight. For this reason I am, as a philosopher, particularly interested in the interpretation of ideas. This does not, of course, exclude criticism of what exists or construction of something new. But I am deeply convinced that it is not the business of a philosopher to propound, in a dogmatic way, the need for a change or to recommend on the basis of normative views the destruction of what exists.