Abstract

The claim, renewed some years ago, of being able to advise on personal questions of life seems to bring philosophy into a fundamental conflict with its other claim of promoting human self-determination. However, the conflict only arises if philosophy does not sufficiently distinguish between the social orientation of self-determination towards universality and the subjective orientation of action execution. This is the case both in subjectivist mentalism and in the tradition of philosophy of language. The insufficient distinction prevents philosophy not only from being able to be helpful in the case of action but also from adequately explaining its object, the human orientation of validity. Plessner clarifies the basis of the practical distinction between social validity and subjective action orientation. Against this background we can better understand Socrates’ and Wittgenstein’s views on how philosophy must proceed in discourse if it is to provide assistance in personal questions without paternalism.