The Metaphysics of Culture: The Philosophy of Joseph Margolis

Joseph Margolis is especially known for his systematic defense of relativism and for emphasizing the historical character of human thinking and inquiry. These views are central to Margolis’ general theory of the metaphysics of culture as well as his criticism of “archism”, the philosophical doctrine he claims has dominated most of Western philosophy and continues to be perceptible in parts of contemporary analytic philosophy.

Margolis has advanced a sophisticated form of realism. In his view, reality is intransparent, but not opaque. Our cognitive engagement with reality is mediated by our realism, that is, by our changing picture(s) of reality. In that sense, realism is a construction (a picture, representation, or interpretation), a symbiosis of what we deem to be given, presuppositionlessly in experience and perception and unified in thought. Reality is not constructed in this sense, though, independently, we do produce, create, and make culturally significant "things" (transforms of natural or material "things," that thereby possess or manifest "Intentional" import), which form a part of the real world. Realism and cultural things are thus dependent on our conceptual resources which, in turn, change in the flux of history.

Margolis is also a major figure of contemporary pragmatism. One of the central aims of his philosophical work has been to offer an interpretation of the pragmatist tradition and defend this philosophical movement as the most resourceful framework for solving problems in contemporary philosophy and culture.

Joseph Margolis’ philosophical career stretches over several decades and his influence has extended to various branches and debates in philosophy. The Metaphysics of Culture – The Philosophy of Joseph Margolis is a conference devoted to the different aspects of Margolis’ vast philosophical work and its contemporary relevance.

Participation in the conference is open to everyone interested and free of charge.

The conference organizers:

• Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies
• The Philosophical Society of Finland
• The Finnish Society for Aesthetics
• Nordic Pragmatism Network

Contact: [email protected]