Philosophy vs. Ideology - Essay Example

Philosophy vs. Ideology One of the cornerstone elements of Western society is philosophical investigation. As early as Ancient Greece, thinkers haveproposed philosophical solutions to pressing social and scientific concerns. Still, just as long as there has been philosophy, there has been the more abstract form of rhetoric known as ideology. While these modes of thinking share similar aspects, upon deeper inspection it’s clear that they differ on meaningful and profound levels. With reference to specific examples, this essay examines the difference between philosophy and ideology.

When examining the differences between philosophy and ideology, one notes that the overarching difference is that philosophy tends towards objective truth, while ideology conceals personal interest as objective knowledge. In further articulating this distinction it’s been noted that, “Ideology refers to a set of beliefs, doctrines that back a certain social institution or a particular organization. Philosophy refers to looking at life in a pragmatic manner and attempting to understand why life is as it is and the principles governing behind it” (“Difference Between”).

This distinction indicates that at the fundamental levels, ideology is concerned with advancing a notion of understanding that is linked to a social institution, while philosophy concerns the deep underlining aspects of existence. One example of this distinction can be witnessed in American notions of democracy. In the above context democracy would be understood as a Western ideology; conversely, the principle that democracy is an intrinsic value right of human existence would be a philosophical assumption.

While there is the above broad ranging distinction between philosophy and ideology, there is also an understanding that ideology oftentimes carries a sinister element, while philosophy is virtuous. In these regards, it’s noted that, “At issue is an understanding of ideology as a source of manipulation” (“Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy”). When considering distinguishing element between philosophy, it is perhaps these negative connotations of ideology that provide the greatest popular distinctions.

It’s further noted that while philosophy is concerned with truth, “An ideology is something else. Its rigid, dogmatic. It doesnt respond to facts or circumstance. It brooks no dissent…Religions can be philosophical or ideological. Taoism is a philosophy, Mormonism an ideology” (“Greater Democracy”). In this context of understanding, one might consider the emergence of ideology in the 20th century Nazi movement and its contention that Jewish individuals were inferior people. While this belief is espoused in philosophical principles, it clearly is ideologically motivated.

Conversely, the notion that humans are not inferior based on race or ethnicity can be understood as philosophy, as the understanding is based on an objective search for truth. In conclusion, this essay has examined the difference between ideology and philosophy. The essay has noted that ideology is understood as a set of social institutions or processes, while philosophy is concerned with the objective reality of existence. The essay has further demonstrated that oftentimes ideology carries with it sinister intentions, while philosophy attempts to be objective and virtuous in its pursuit of truth.

References"Difference Between Philosophy and Ideology." Difference Between. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Sep 2011. ."Greater Democracy: Philosophy and Ideology ." Greater Democracy. N.p., 2010. Web. 5 Sep 2011. ."Law and Ideology." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford, 2010. Web. 5 Sep 2011. .