Layer theory (philosophy)

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The theory of layers is a conception of reality represented in philosophical ontology . According to this, being is not to be regarded as uniform, as the philosophy school of Elea claimed, going back to Parmenides (around 520-460 BC) - it consists rather of different layers of being . These layers of being are characterized by a hierarchy of properties, which is usually formed in such a way that the higher is supported by the lower, always stronger layer. It either gains in efficiency or develops very specific other "higher qualities". The layers can appear independently of one another - as in the picture of the horse and rider - or be essentially connected to one another - see for example the biological - organic functioning of the brain from the perspective of emergence .

Use of the term

Aristotle's theory of layers

Already Aristotle (around 384-322. Chr.) Distinguished five layers of being. The lowest he called the hyle , that is the material-material layer, followed by the sensually perceptible things , living beings , soul and spirit . Even with living things, Aristotle made a distinction between the vegetative and the animal soul . - Usually the layers of being of real and ideal being are also differentiated. Real being is often referred to as existence , ideal as being or essence . Similarly, Plato (427–347 BC) distinguished between desire (epithymia), courage and will (thymos) and reason (logistikon). Nicolai Hartmann introduced the concepts of the category complex and the associated types of determination. He distinguished the layer of the inorganic , that is, a category complex grouped around the concept of matter , with the associated type of determination of causality, from the layer of the organic supported by this , which is characterized by vitality. Their type of determination is the principle of finality .

The relationships between the layers

The relationships between “above” and “below” in the pyramid are questionable. Do the properties of the upper floors depend on the lower? Do they develop exclusively out of them, the lower classes? Is the spirit already active in them, the lower strata, which especially animates the top of the pyramid? Albert Schweitzer is of the opinion that in nature the spirit is naturally there. He creates the new from the old in an absolutely reasonable and expedient manner. The spirit, on the other hand, as it rules in history, is not present in things. He must be created by us and thus become effective in history.

literature

  • HF Hoffmann: Layer Theory. 1935
  • Nicolai Hartmann: The beginnings of the concept of stratification in the old philosophy. 1943
  • Nicolai Hartmann: On the foundation of the ontology. 3 1948
  • Erich Rothacker : The layers of personality. 7 1966

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Georgi Schischkoff (Hrsg.): Philosophical dictionary. Alfred-Kröner, Stuttgart 14 1982, ISBN 3-520-01321-5 , Lexikon-Stw. “Shift theory” page 609 f. and “Being” page 627 f.
  2. ↑ a b Peter R. Hofstätter (Ed.): Psychology . The Fischer Lexikon, Fischer-Taschenbuch, Frankfurt am Main 1972, ISBN 3-436-01159-2 ; Lexicon-Stw. “Layer theory”, p. 286.
  3. ^ Nicolai Hartmann : Ethics . 3 1949
  4. ↑ Albert Schweitzer : Humanity and Peace . Speech by Albert Schweitzer on the award of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in 1951. Reprint 7/8 by the Klein printing company, Münster