The reality argument and its impact on the individual through the eyes of Gejza Vámoš

• Authors: Alexandra Brocková
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The goal of this paper was to explain the ideas contained in the essay The Reality Argument by Gejza Vámoš. Reality must be accounted for and justified, otherwise we are incapable of accepting it. If the reasons for a given reality are strong and convincing, it will be accepted. Many forgotten thinkers and figures that are inspirational to this day are echoed in Vámoš’s work. The essay is a specific continuation of Vámoš’s philosophical endeavours. Unlike in his other works, Vámoš abandons the biologising contemplations of a philosopher-physician, dealing here with the question of the individual and society. Is the way in which a reality is accepted different for the individual than for the masses? The question emerges of how it is possible to modify reality in the minds of people using different justifications. Although the essay is in many respects an example of author’s distinct free-thinking nature, this “socio-philosophical meditation”, as Vámoš himself dubbed it, may be added to the list of Vámoš’s efforts at being an educator and cultivator of society. He also emphasises the role of the philosopher and warns against the tendency of people to allow themselves to be controlled and, in many passages, he warns against various ways of manipulating reality.

Keywords

EN

Gejza Vámoš; Slovak philosophy; 20th century; individualism; reality argument

Discipline

• PHILOSOPHY: PHILOSOPHY

• Publisher: Institute of Philosophy, Czech Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Filosofický časopis (Philosophical Journal)
• Year: 2021
• Volume: 69
• Issue: Special_Issue_1
• Pages: 117-127
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Alexandra Brocková

• Filosofický časopis, redakce, Filosofický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i., Jilská 1, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic