Religion, theory of evolution of the human species, education and crisis of confidence are some of the current themes analyzed by philosopher Luiz Felipe Pondé in his newest book Philosophical fragments of horror, which has just been released by Editora Nacional. As a kind of lens, the writer uses horror to create an X-ray and reflect on various themes that permeate the daily lives of human beings.
In total there are 25 essays and chronicles that uncover hidden fragments in religion, psychoanalysis and philosophical discussions in relation to the most current issues. It is also through horror that Pondé talks about politics, democracy and stupidity. In one of the excerpts from the book, the author highlights what he calls the end of democratic utopia: “Politics, the territory in itself of violence and its management, in the contemporary world, is the place par excellence of hopelessness. Whether on the left – and its authoritarian demands to declare itself as the bearer of pure and noble intentions when, in fact, in practice, its representatives manipulate social misery as electoral capital – or on the right – and its anger that spits out horrors, often in supernatural foundation, but which at the end of the day ends up cultivating hatred and resentment as a way of being in the world – there is no hope at all. What we are witnessing in this 21st century is the death of democratic utopia.”
Pondé also addresses points such as rush and anxiety, something that characterizes today’s society. He also makes a critical analysis of the idea of species progress. “In our anxious times, everyone wants to see themselves as a process of advancement towards some banal perfection, like a selfie. You are a startup! Go ahead. Life is a trade-off”, he provokes.
About the author:
Luiz Felipe Pondé has a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Paris and the Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences at the University of São Paulo (USP) and a post-doctorate from the University of Tel Aviv. Author of numerous books, he serves as director of the Behavior and Media Policy Laboratory at the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) of São Paulo, professor at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP), commentator for Jornal da Cultura and columnist for Folha de S. Paulo.