Episode #166 - Jose Ortega - Circumstance
Jose Ortega - Circumstance
In this episode, we explore the philosophy of José Ortega y Gasset, a thinker who resisted narrow labels like existentialist or phenomenologist, and instead pursued a broader vision: rehumanizing our understanding of reality. Ortega challenges traditional dualisms—especially Descartes’ mind-body split—and instead argues that human existence is inseparable from the circumstances it inhabits. His famous phrase, “I am I and my circumstance,” encapsulates this view: we are not isolated minds navigating the world, but unified beings shaped by, and responsible for, the historical, social, and physical conditions we inherit. Ortega’s perspectivism acknowledges the limits of human understanding while rejecting the idea that all perspectives are equally valid. Instead, he calls for active engagement with our circumstances—seeking truth through a multiplicity of viewpoints and continuous reexamination. For Ortega, philosophy is not a passive discipline, but a form of “theoretical heroism,” demanding both humility and courage as we forge meaning in a world of uncertainty.
Further Reading:
The Revolt of the Masses – José Ortega y Gasset (1994)
What Is Philosophy? – José Ortega y Gasset (1964)
Meditations on Quixote – José Ortega y Gasset (1963)
See the full transcript here.
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