On Poetry and Authentic Philosophical Reflection: The American Philosophy of Octavio Paz

Abstract

Octavio Paz conceives of authentic philosophical reflection as‘thinking a la intemperie’. This conception involves his idea that ourcontemporary historical and philosophical situation is one of intemperieespiritual. Based on the dual sense of the term intemperie for Paz, I proposethat ‘thinking a la intemperie’ means: (i) Exposing our beliefs to theweathering effects of our vital, concrete experience; and (ii) apprehendingreality in communion with others through poetic experience of the everflowingpresent. That is, authentic philosophical reflection means makingour home thinking and living without rigid, stifling ideological systems, incommunion with our neighbors and with our places, here and now, in theunity of present place and present time that we create together. This modeof reflection belongs within a broad American tradition of philosophizingand, for Paz, responds to concerns compatible with those of the pragmatists.