Modern Western Philosophy: Naturalized Philosophy as the Final Movement

The discussion surrounding the last great school or movement in modern Western philosophy has led to intriguing debates among philosophers and scholars. Traditionally, existentialism was often considered to be the last significant movement, following the likes of Kantianism and other schools of thought. However, many argue that existentialism didn’t truly capture the popular imagination, nor did logical positivism, a movement more aligned with scientific rigor and skepticism.

Logical Positivism: A Scientific Perspective on Philosophy

Logical positivism, which was heavily influential in the 20th century, particularly in the English-speaking world, aimed to bridge the gap between philosophy and the sciences. This movement, spearheaded by philosophers like Carnap and Ayer, sought to base philosophical inquiry on empirical evidence and logical analysis. It rejected metaphysical speculation and claimed that many philosophical problems could be resolved by clarifying the meanings of the terms used.

The Decline of Logical Positivism and the Rise of Naturalized Philosophy

By the 1960s, both existentialism and logical positivism were in decline. This was largely due to critiques and challenges from other philosophical schools, such as analytic philosophy and post-structuralism. The term "naturalized philosophy" emerged as a response to these criticisms. This movement sought to naturalize philosophical inquiry by integrating it with the methodologies and findings of the natural sciences, including the methods of hypothesis development and empirical investigation.

Naturalized Philosophy: A Logical Conclusion

Naturalized philosophy presented itself as the logical conclusion of the efforts to bridge the gap between philosophy and science. Notable figures like Willard Van Orman Quine were instrumental in developing and popularizing this approach. Quine’s work, particularly his debunking of the analytic-synthetic distinction and his critiques of aprioristic methods, paved the way for a more empirically grounded philosophy.

The Fall of Existentialism: A Personal Fell from Grace

Existentialism, which gained prominence in the early to mid-20th century, is often seen as a movement that tried to reconcile philosophy with a more religious-like piety, albeit without a specific religious figure like Jesus. Philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus were often seen as intellectual seers, but this movement ultimately failed to capture the popular imagination. Sartre himself had to resort to promoting literary figures like Jean Genet as examples of creative genius, highlighting the limited appeal of existentialist thought.

Wittgenstein: A Neutral Perspective

Ludwig Wittgenstein, a towering figure in 20th-century philosophy, took a neutral stance on both existentialism and logical positivism. He found neither movement to be particularly useful as a means of philosophical inquiry. Wittgenstein’s view reflects the broader skepticism towards grand philosophical movements that do not contribute significantly to collective understanding and problem-solving.

The Decline of Both Movements

Both existentialism and logical positivism flourished from the 1920s through the 1950s, but by the 1960s, both were in decline. This doesn't mean that one came after the other; rather, the various schools of thought were concurrent and sometimes even overlapping. The naturalized philosophy movement represents a synthesis of these earlier approaches, emphasizing the empirical and scientific rigor that appeals to a broader audience.

In conclusion, the final movement in modern Western philosophy, often seen as the culmination of efforts to naturalize philosophy, has roots in the critiques and challenges posed by earlier schools of thought. This approach offers a more accessible and empirically grounded philosophy that can address contemporary issues with greater depth and clarity.