THE DIAGNOSTIC PRACTICE IN PHILOSOPHY IS FOR ME DISTINGUISHED FROM NORMATIVE THEORIZING BY FIVE CHARACTERISTICS: IT DIRECTS ITSELF AT THE PRESENT AND REJECTS A TIMELESS PERSPECTIVE. IT THINKS IN GENEALOGICAL TERMS AND SHUNS AN ANTI- OR AHISTORICAL VIEW. IT BELIEVES IN THE “UNITY OF THEORY AND PRACTICE,” NOT IN PURE THEORIZING, AND MAY REJECT ALTOGETHER THE POSSIBILITY OF COMPREHENSIVE THEORIZING. IT CONCERNS ITSELF WITH CONCRETE CHOICES RATHER THAN UNIVERSAL NORMS. IT IS HISTORICALLY SELF-CONSCIOUS RATHER THAN OBLIVIOUS OF ITS OWN HISTORICAL SITUATION. (HANS SLUGA)
