Philosophical keys of elitism in the work of Ortega y Gasset

Abstract

This article focuses on the elitism of José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955), paying attention especially to its philosophical foundations. According to Ortega, nobility as vigorous life is reached by the individual making a great effort. It is not about something inherited. Ortega is against vulgar life or mediocrity as if it was a dangerous illness which is being expanded along society nowadays. His thought about this matter is seen through his complete works. We can find many dimensions in relation with his thought about nobles and masses, but, as I said earlier, we will pay special attention to the philosophical dimension of his aristocratic thought and from his idealistic and neokantian youth to his maturity, when Ortega develops a philosophical scheme which deals with human life as a radical reality and an individual one. We firmly believe that is vital to understand the changes in his philosophy in order to see the changes in his elitist thought.