(Below parts of a translation of Jean Grenier’s text ‘La Choix’ / The Choice. This is the second paragraph of the first part of the book. Other bits and bops of my translation can be found here. This is a work in progress, and my progress is slow. The translation might not live up to academic standards. – HvS)
To deviate from the positivist spirit?
‘One could oppose this definition of the philosophical sentiment, by pointing out that for the Greek and modern thinkers, at least of the Western tradition, exactly the opposite sentiment forms the starting point: [the sentiment] of making a synthesis out of different elements, to [aim for] a union of things. To them, the universe contains an order in which mankind finds its place. It would suffice to point this place out to him [such that he would fit into it].
But these positive and positivist conceptions of philosophy think of philosophy as some completed project. This does not concern philosophy in action, before it is complete. It is surely very true that Comte, just like Spencer, [mainly] gives philosophy a policing function: it is to enforce the order where this order is lacking. Meanwhile presupposing that the world is at the height of spirit, and not higher nor lower. [So a successful merging with the world would be possible].
But even these philosophers start of with an examination and a critique of a sublimation function in mankind, which is the metaphysical function, by declaring it to be a strange phenomenon, absurd and to be suppressed. These philosophies contain an enormous amount of exorcism, for to exclusively consider mere ‘reality’, we first need to distinguish it from a whole realm of things which are not worthy to be called such [that is, real].
Their start is a false one [?]. They want to only affirm and state what is the case. Yet it is impossible to not put the idea of value at the threshold of philosophy. After all, it’s very justification derives from the difference between what we attribute to ourselves and to that which surrounds us. The pseudo-positivity only hides their own position.
At least the system of Epicurus had this merit, that it showed the initial tear which is that of all philosophy. Lucretius notes it, almost in the same way as Pascal does, that mankind is not suited for Nature. He wants to hear her out, get to know her and master her. And after all this, philosophy is like like all others: she start from a rupture, and she moves towards a union.
– Translation HvS
Pragmata 