(Below parts of a translation of Jean Grenier’s text ‘Le Choix’ / The Choice. This is the third 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)
Jean Grenier Writes:
Philosophy is not a synthesis, but an appreciation (La philosophie n’est pas une synthèse, mais une appréciation.)
“For this is an almost universal observation: that philosophy goes from a surprise in the face of an abyss, towards the aspiration of a harmony. Her movement is so decisive that it almost has the same allure of the path of religion which goes from the fall [la chute] to redemption [rachat]. But of course it is peculiar [of religion] that this surprise is frightful and the aspiration is a will towards ‘salvation’ [or ‘greeting’: salut]. Such expressions are reserved for mystics.
The philosopher never forgets he is only human. This is what makes up his prestige, and perhaps also his weight, by which he can be at the center of gravity for all men. He tends – and he will not rush it – towards being and towards unity, [exactly] the more he takes awareness from nothingness [neant] and chaos.
[So] The philosopher isn’t born of the light but of the shadow, and from this he moves towards being. And if the most positive or materialistic philosophies claim to merely give an overview [of what is], this is entirely wrong, because the issue is one of [how] reconciliation [is] to be made possible between things which are not in agreement. It [cannot be] a mere explanation.
[After all,] of what use would a positive philosophy be if this was not the case? Science would have been enough. But she moves in a domain of values.”
– Translation HvS
Pragmata 