Origins and Development of Peruvian Philosophy

Abstract

This paper argues that there were five distinct periods of Peruvian philosophy after the arrival of the first Europeans: 1- The reception of scholasticism during the 16th and 17th centuries and the Peruvian philosophy produced under its influence. 2- From the 18th century until the mid-19th century, there was a move away from scholasticism and the Peruvian reception of modern European philosophers. 3- The paper focuses mainly on the ideas developed from the mid-19th century to the beginning of the 20th century when Peruvian philosophers were mainly influenced by French and English Positivism (Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer) and Darwinism. 4- Early to mid-20th century, when Peruvian philosophers moved away from Positivism and embraced what in Latin America was called 'spiritualism,' which is the name chosen to describe the vitalism or intuitionism of Henri Bergson. In this period, Marxism also exerted a strong influence. 5- From the mid-20th century to the present day. This period is characterized by diverse influences, mainly from continental European philosophy, Anglo-American philosophy, and the philosophies of other Latin American countries. Interestingly, the philosophy produced in Peru today has the traits of creativity that a mixture of influences typically produces. Thus, it is now easier to find Peruvian philosophers who are well acquainted with philosophers from different traditions, which means that they are used to suggesting and defending ideas from different perspectives. This kind of creativity could be characteristic of the globalized philosophy we will see in the coming decades. Thus, this paper explains how and why Peruvian philosophical debates have the shape they have today.