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Nihilism and Emancipation: Ethics, Politics, and Law
A daring marriage of philosophical theory and practical politics, this collection is the first of Gianni Vattimo's many books to combine his intellectual pursuits with his public and political life. Vattimo is a paradoxical figure, at once a believing Christian and a vociferous critic of the Catholic Church, an outspoken liberal but not a former communist, and a recognized authority on Nietzsche and Heidegger as well as a prominent public intellectual and member of the European parliament. Building on his unique position as a philosopher and politician, Vattimo takes on some of the most pressing questions of our Is it still possible, long after Nietzsche proclaimed the death of God, to talk of moral imperatives, individual rights, or political freedom? Are these values still relevant in today's world?
Tackling these crucial issues, Gianni Vattimo argues that nihilism is not the absence of meaning but a recognition of a plurality of meanings; it is not the end of civilization but the beginning of new social paradigms. Commonly associated with the pessimistic belief that all of existence is meaningless, nihilism, as a philosophical principle, is far less sensational―it is the ethical doctrine that there are no moral absolutes or infallible natural laws, that "truth" is inescapably subjective. Because the conditions for equality and liberty are not "naturally" given, society must actively create these ideals or it will inevitably fall prey to irrationality, prejudice, and oppression. Vattimo contends that the infighting, timidity, and confusion that have overtaken contemporary liberal thought and politics are the products a prolonged and indulgent mourning over the loss of the transcendental father figure―any institution or power structure that defines truth, knowledge, and reality. Until humanity overcomes its need for external authority―whether it be organized religion, the nation-state, or free-market capitalism―emancipation will remain unattainable. Collecting fourteen of Vattimo's most influential essays on ethics, politics, and law, Nihilism and Emancipation is a provocative reevaluation of meaning, values, and the idea of freedom in Western culture.
Tackling these crucial issues, Gianni Vattimo argues that nihilism is not the absence of meaning but a recognition of a plurality of meanings; it is not the end of civilization but the beginning of new social paradigms. Commonly associated with the pessimistic belief that all of existence is meaningless, nihilism, as a philosophical principle, is far less sensational―it is the ethical doctrine that there are no moral absolutes or infallible natural laws, that "truth" is inescapably subjective. Because the conditions for equality and liberty are not "naturally" given, society must actively create these ideals or it will inevitably fall prey to irrationality, prejudice, and oppression. Vattimo contends that the infighting, timidity, and confusion that have overtaken contemporary liberal thought and politics are the products a prolonged and indulgent mourning over the loss of the transcendental father figure―any institution or power structure that defines truth, knowledge, and reality. Until humanity overcomes its need for external authority―whether it be organized religion, the nation-state, or free-market capitalism―emancipation will remain unattainable. Collecting fourteen of Vattimo's most influential essays on ethics, politics, and law, Nihilism and Emancipation is a provocative reevaluation of meaning, values, and the idea of freedom in Western culture.
- GenresPhilosophyPolitics
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Gianni Vattimo
138 books93 followersGianteresio Vattimo, also known as Gianni Vattimo (born January 4, 1936) is an internationally recognized Italian author, philosopher, and politician. Many of his works have been translated into English.
His philosophy can be characterized as postmodern with his emphasis on "pensiero debole" (weak thought). This requires that the foundational certainties of modernity with its emphasis on objective truth founded in a rational unitary subject be relinquished for a more multi-faceted conception closer to that of the arts.
His philosophy can be characterized as postmodern with his emphasis on "pensiero debole" (weak thought). This requires that the foundational certainties of modernity with its emphasis on objective truth founded in a rational unitary subject be relinquished for a more multi-faceted conception closer to that of the arts.
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June 21, 2016
El principal mérito en la obra de Vattimo y en la doctrina del «pensiero debole» es poner en entredicho lo que la Civilización Occidental da por supuesto (la metafísica, los 'fundamentos' y valores inmutables, p. ej. cristianos), mostrando cuán importante es que el enfoque dogmático sea reemplazado -o más correctamente, superado- por uno hermenéutico, abierto a interpretaciones (algo así como la tesis de Maturana, «poner la objetividad entre paréntesis», que impide a la ciencia dormirse en laureles), donde se admita la convivencia de miradas diversas -o incluso divergentes- y suprimiendo la violencia impuesta por categorías que definen lo «correcto» por convención o intereses particulares más que hechos objetivos (en consonancia con la ley de Hume), todo lo cual es de gran interés para el presente y futuro de las esferas que aborda: ética, política, derecho.
Sin perjuicio de lo anterior, no debe olvidarse que el autor representa una escuela (por tanto tendría cuidado de considerar su opinión como la única verdad: él sabe que su interpretación es “una más”, pero sus lectores podrían no entenderlo) y que junto a su labor académica ha tomado parte en política -específicamente de izquierdas-, lo que sin caer en argumento ad-hominem debe al menos considerarse un antecedente.
En lo estrictamente literario me pareció una escritura enredada y no por contenido, sino por redacción, falta grave en un filósofo a menos que pretenda sacar partido de la técnica Truman («si no puedes convencerlos, confúndelos»). Exceso de paréntesis, guiones, anotaciones y justificaciones que retardan la lectura. Salvo esto, un libro recomendable.
Sin perjuicio de lo anterior, no debe olvidarse que el autor representa una escuela (por tanto tendría cuidado de considerar su opinión como la única verdad: él sabe que su interpretación es “una más”, pero sus lectores podrían no entenderlo) y que junto a su labor académica ha tomado parte en política -específicamente de izquierdas-, lo que sin caer en argumento ad-hominem debe al menos considerarse un antecedente.
En lo estrictamente literario me pareció una escritura enredada y no por contenido, sino por redacción, falta grave en un filósofo a menos que pretenda sacar partido de la técnica Truman («si no puedes convencerlos, confúndelos»). Exceso de paréntesis, guiones, anotaciones y justificaciones que retardan la lectura. Salvo esto, un libro recomendable.
Displaying 1 of 1 review