The goal of Open Philosophy is to build a
model of reality in which the
insights of Traditional Philosophy, Natural Science and Sacred
Theology can be seen to be consistent. It reflects the
Aristotelian tradition of accepting truth in all of its
expressions as advanced by St. Thomas Aquinas. In my 1993 article, "Paradigms for an
Open Philosophy," I outlined an approach which
allows the integration of any and all valid insights, based on
the premise that there can be no contradictions in
reality.
Truth is indeed one, but we approach it from
many directions. This multiplicity of approaches is a source
of much confusion. To resolve the confusion we need to trace
each expression to the experiences it voices.
While no view of reality or system of thought
is exhaustive of what is, we do know truth through
experience. Each experience is a projection or diminished
mapping of reality -- an intrinsically incomplete
self-revelation of being.
Recognizing the incompleteness
of our own understanding creates the need to look first for
the other's insight, and not for his or her error. That is the
essence of openness: The recognition that we can learn from
each other. Thus, Open Philosophy looks to Western and
Eastern, ancient and contemporary, sources of insight. It
treats each insight on its own terms rather than forcing it
into a preconceived and alien mold. This is simple respect.
There is one reality, but many ways of approaching it.
Science and theology, object and subject, East and West, old
and new -- all are sources of wisdom. An open philosopher
loves them all. His or her task is to recombine these partial
experiences and insights into a fuller understanding of the
mystery we encounter daily.
The Glossary provides a point of
entry to explore various topics in open
philosophy.
