The philosophical research: conceptual analysis versus historical analysis?

Abstract

In this work, my question is about the nature of philosophical research. With this purpose I try to compare two different perspectives: the first, analytical, the second historical. I attempt to identify a real tensión between both perspectives. However, I try to show an inteligible way to resolve this tension. In order to clarify the philosphical landscape, I distinguish two properties of analytical research: universality and conceptual necessity, respectively. In addition, I contrast the Bernard Williams and Richard Rorty’s glimpse about the nature of philosophical analysis. I hold the thesis according to wich Rorty not include relevante things about philosophy, and as contrary approach, I defend a type of perspective with the virtue of including some important questions as, for example, conceptual universality and variability, immutability and change of concepts, and so on.