Philosopher's World

AS YOU may have noticed, Philosopher's World is a partial affair. It endorses the western Enlightenment programme. The simplest description of this programme is a prescription: educate yourselves to be free. The Enlightenment programme is an unrelenting battle against indifference, inability, ignorance and superstition. At the same time it strives after the liberation from powers that exploit ignorance and superstition, whether these powers be religious, economic, or political in nature. Even the instruments and fruits of the Enlightenment programme itself, i.e. education, science and technology, are not exempt from this critical attitude. Where they become institutionalised in such a way as to be detrimental to human welfare and human freedom, they should be tackled as any other oppressive power.

Being a philosophy teacher for some years now, I feel the need to state my own basic convictions clearly and distinctly. Not only because my students often ask me to do so, but also because I have noticed that our western culture is developing in directions that go against the grain of values I deem most important for a humane, righteous and knowledgeable way of life - the Enlightenment way of life. Bear this agenda in mind as I welcome you to my Philosopher's World - I sincerely hope you enjoy it. But above all: I hope that it makes you wonder and think for yourself. No need to agree, not now, nor later on. Just follow the path into the unknown...