Next week Thursday morning at the British Society for the History of Philosophy I am 'debating' James Harris on the methodology of the history of philosophy [I am substituting for Knud Haakonssen, who will chair the session]. I will argue that the current methodology of contextual philosophy (as promoted by James Harris and, for example, beautifully articulated by our very own Dennis Des Chene earlier this week) has severe limitations. In particular, in being "resolutely antiteleological" (Des Chene) it fails to capture some of the most important aspirations of the figures 'we' tend to study. Earlier in the week I insisted that the task of the philosophic historian is coining concepts. One of these is "philosophic prophecy." This concept is meant to capture the teleological aspirations of philosophers.
What is philosophic prophecy? It's not biblical prophecy, but A) prophecy by philosophers (‘Secular’ prophecy' if you wish). It is not about making predictions. In particular, B) it is intended to help create a possible future. C) It is, thus, a necessary (but not sufficient condition) for the prophesied future (and, thus, resolutely teleological). It is structurally akin (but not identical) to a self-fulling prophecy. D) It appeals to the imagination; often by way of narrative, history, or mythic history. E) It often consist of claims that are beyond knowable at the time of articulation, but that avoid obvious falsehoods. F) It is, thus, (ultimately) accepted on faith; G) it relies on the obvious idea that texts can have an impact: H) crucially, our present, once unforeseen actions can be the intended outcome of past design. I) One sign that one is dealing with an author that engages this genre, is if s/he articulates a dialectic between "true vs false" philosophers (or teachers). J) To be clear, this is different from the tradition of 'noble lies' or esoteric teaching (familiar from Leo Strauss), although clearly shares some kinship with it.
I claim that this genre was widely practiced in Early Modern period (e.g., Bacon, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Hume, Adam Smith, and Kant). Almost certainly they were influenced by medieval philosophers (and a Platonizing tradition going back to Phaedrus/Timaeus).
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