Rökgreiningarheimspeki sem gagnrýnistól: Heimspeki sem viðbragð við fasisma og öðrum mannskemmandi öflum

Abstract

Analytic philosophy has for a long time had the image of not being a field where social criticism is practiced. Instead, it gives the impression of putting all the emphasis on abstract concepts that have little or no application to current affairs. In this paper, it is acknowledged that this image is at least to a certain extent justified. However, it is argued that there is nothing about analytic philosophy in itself or its methods that prevents those practicing it from using it for social criticism. Examples are given of historical figures in analytic philosophy who played an important role in the formation of the tradition in its first decades and at the same time practiced social criticism: Bertrand Russell, members of the Vienna Circle, and Susan Stebbing. The claim is made that their methods for social criticism were fully compatible with their vision for analytic philosophy. Finally, an account is given of recent developments in the field where analytic philosophers have in increasing numbers been using the tools of the trade for social criticism.