Philosophy Map
To map philosophy would necessitate a certain hierarchy within philosophy. Historically (as demonstrated in the Oxford Companion to Philosophy) this mapping centers more “objective” sub-disciplines such as Logic with Epistemology and Metaphysics. I do most certainly consent to this intimate and necessary relation between Epistemology and Metaphysics and acknowledge the consistency of precision the Logic so wields. I have no problem with the application of Logic insofar as it resists the urge so persistent in the sciences quest for objectivity whereby it detaches truth claims from value claims. The benefits from doing this is a purely abstract or theoretical sense are self-evident, yet when applied and even when constructed the values of logicians themselves are sure to leave their mark on the allegedly “value-free” proofs. This is not to say that one should not strive for an absolute truth, but simply that the means by which we pursue such a goal out to be hermeneutically pursued. The inter-relatedness between philosophical disciplines ought to be more fully illuminated. While philosophy prides itself on the competitive nature of contrasting arguments, whereby the dialectic synthesis two distinct ideas, thus allowing these ideas to transcend into a greater understanding, this process requires a certain reciprocity and openness to constructive criticism that I find alarmingly absent throughout academic philosophy (even in my own philosophy).
It is my heartfelt belief that philosophy ought not to aspire to “foundationalism” and abandon its quest for an ultimate truth from the confines of a singular position, thus within philosophy itself, there ought to be no center of which the remainder of sub-disciplines are subservient to. Instead while acknowledging the need for certain leadership, which I shall grant to Logic, Epistemology, Metaphysics and also Ethics(in order to infuse the cogitation of value within all philosophy), I advocate a truly democratic structure throughout the discipline. My personal philosophical orientation would focus on, but never be limited to, Ethics, Epistemology, Political Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Eastern Philosophy, Latin American Philosophy, Feminist Philosophy (the latter three I argue have been all unjustly marginalized within contemporary philosophy).