Observers and Their Worlds

Rafael Echeverría

• Publisher: JC Sáez Editor
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN:
  9789563062113
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Language in Philosophy

In this groundbreaking work, I challenge the metaphysical foundations that have shaped Western thought since ancient Greece. Following Nietzsche's call to question the interpretations of Plato and Aristotle—what I designate as the "metaphysical ontology"—I propose a radical alternative: the ontology of language. For centuries, we have been faithful to metaphysical assumptions that now compromise both our capacity to give meaning to our lives and the ways we relate to others. Western civilization has reached an impasse, and it is imperative that we step back and forge a new path. This work examines the fundamental axes of the observer and demonstrates that human beings are linguistic beings who invent themselves through language. I developed the concept of metaphysical ontology to distinguish the dominant Western tradition from my proposal of a non-metaphysical ontology—one that opens new possibilities for human transformation, learning, and coexistence. This is my invitation to reimagine what it means to be human. —Rafael Echeverría

Table of contents

• Cover
• Copyright page
• Title page
• CONTENTS
• PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
• INTRODUCTION: ONTOLOGY OF LANGUAGE, TOWARD A NEW DISCOURSE ON THE HUMAN PHENOMENON
• I. THE DETERMINANTS OF HUMAN ACTION: THE SOAR MODEL
• II. THE OBSERVER
• III. “LIKE GODS”: JUDGMENTS, ACTION, AND INDIVIDUAL BEING
• ADDENDUM I: Further Considerations
• ADDENDUM II: SOAR Model Background
• IV. THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE WORLD AND THE HUMAN SOUL
• V. THE DIMENSIONS OF THE OBSERVER
• VI. THE SYSTEM: A GENERAL STRUCTURE
• VII. THE ONTOLOGICAL VIEW FROM A SYSTEMIC PERSPECTIVE
• VIII. LEARNING
• ADDENDUM: ON TEACHING