Lebensphilosophie

Lebensphilosophie, or "philosophy of life," emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against positivism and the perceived limitations of scientific culture. Thinkers like Wilhelm Dilthey argued that the human sciences, unlike the natural sciences, require a method of "understanding" (Verstehen) based on the motivations of historical actors, rather than just causal explanation. Henri Bergson, in France, contrasted subjective "duration" with objective time, emphasizing lived experience over abstract concepts. In Germany, Lebensphilosophie developed into a political ideology, sometimes rejecting reason in favor of irrational forces and contributing to harmful ideologies. Helmuth Plessner, a key figure in philosophical anthropology, explored human nature through the balance of inner and outer selves.12