Vandalism is a philosophical approach that supports the constant questioning and criticism of all ideas in search of concepts that can be adopted for future use when questioning and criticising ideas. Vandalism is focused on any and all ideas that can be adapted for use within
philosophy. The analogy is that of raiders such as the ancient Vandals who sacked Rome and plundered its treasures.
Vandalism entails a lack of respect for any philosophical tradition or system. No sacred cows are left unslaughtered. It could be
seen as an equivalent to absurdism that mocks our pretence at
knowledge, instead finding enjoyment in stripping away the temples of Rome.
Vandalism has no specific form or fixed arguments and in and of itself says nothing about epistemology or ethics or other areas of
philosophy. It makes no claims about how
people should think or what ideas
people should adopt. Instead it is more of a metaphilosophical concept.
In a sense it is a form of pragmatism as it looks for useful ideas. In a sense it is skepticism as it questions
knowledge. In a sense it is relativism as it is open to considering many perspectives. In a sense it is eclecticism or syncretism as it combines many different approaches. Skepticism and relativism
may be the most easily adapted to the vandalist doctrine of questioning and criticism, but it is not necessary to adopt them or any other concept as part of vandalism, and in fact they can be subject to the same process of criticism themselves.
