Introduction

pp. 1-9

in: , Wilhelm Dilthey, Berlin, Springer, 1980

Abstract

Philosophy originates in man's amazement over the richness and complexity of reality. It attempts to articulate in words and concepts what reality is. Starting from the recognition that this reality is experienced by all humans but experienced in many different ways, the philosopher tries to find reality's heart, its center, its hidden treasure — the tree in the middle connecting heaven and earth, the central point from which the stupendous intricacy of experience begins to make sense and from which order can become visible. To ask "what is reality?" is, indeed, to recognize that we have entered a maze.