Fernando Savater: the current philosopher
Since its creation, philosophy as a doctrine has sought to organize the knowledge of reality and the meaning of human actions. Many teachers have tried to bring this knowledge to the modern context, but few manage to do so without being too academic. It is not surprising that the search “Fernando Savater: the current philosopher” has such broad visibility in web search engines.
Fernando Savater is one of those characters known to fans old and youngTherefore, from the publication of his first essays, he demonstrated a great ability to capture the attention of the general public, thanks to his avant-garde positions on ethics, politics, society and culture. Throughout his career he has received various awards and nominations for his work.
Bring philosophy to young people and adults
In the best French style, Fernando Savater usually refers to himself as a company philosopher, in lowercase letters. Unlike those colleagues who practice Philosophy as a professor, This author has a vitalist and enlightened orientation, in addition to some iconoclastic and controversial forms that have earned him the admiration of some and the rejection of others. Likewise, his style uses wit and irony.
Although the author prefers journalistic articles and essays over narrative—genres read mostly by adults—this has not prevented younger readers from visiting his work. The reason is obvious: their philosophy books They present arguments that, although they have matured over time, continue to be liked by the less experienced, especially because of the simple way that the writer is able to print in each text, drawing inspiration from authors such as Nietzsche, Cioran and Spinoza.
Career of Fernando Savater
First years
Fernando Fernández Savater Martín was born on June 21, 1947, in San Sebastián, Spain. After graduating from the Complutense University of Madrid, he dedicated himself to teaching at different universities at a higher level.. However, his career took a turn during the fall of 1973, when his teaching contract was not renewed. This was interpreted by the students as political retaliation.
The annoyance on the part of the teachers and students led to demonstrations in defense of Savater. After the fall of Francoism, the author was vindicated in his work, and began teaching the subject of Ethics at the University of the Basque Country. Since then, he dedicated himself to addressing various cultural problems in his journalistic work, which made him a reference.
philosophical stance
Fernando Savater's popularity made him a bestseller, but also a target of criticism. This, especially with respect to his arguments that philosophy is a field that should be used for the provocation and expression of subjectivity, stating that ethics should not be subjected to abstract judgments that are alien to the human being's own happiness.
On the other hand, His philosophy on politics has evolved from a libertarian thought, passing through democratic, social democratic, liberal individualism, and concluding in his latest works with universalist sketches. To exemplify his ideas, the writer mentioned the following: “I have been a revolutionary without anger; I hope to be a conservative without vileness.”
The role of religions according to Fernando Savater
Savater has proposed on several occasions a totally secular society, in contrast to the fundamental role of religions in a democratic context. According to the author, this would help confront “the identity sectarianisms of ethnicisms, nationalisms and any other that seeks to subject the rights of abstract and egalitarian citizenship to a segregationist determinism.”
Work by Fernando Savater
Pamphlet against everything (1978)
Through this text, Fernando Savater tries to combat in some way certain apologetic concepts that have been applied to the social sciences. and political theory, such as the “Common Good”, the State, Justice, Everything and Power. The first letters of the words are in capital letters as an irony, since the author believes that governments use them to justify themselves.
Invitation to ethics (1982)
On this occasion, Fernando Savater does not resort to sociology or psychology, but to a declared form of philosophy, in order to explain the very concept of philosophy, thus including its foundations, possibilities, necessity and evolution for the future. It also touches on topics such as the definition of virtue and the challenge posed by evil, as well as the relationship between politics and ethics.
The hero's task (1982)
The book cited below is the reason why Savater won the National Essay Award in 1982. Here the need to foster a taste for two kinds of rebellion is evident, one that drinks from order and another that enjoys disorder.. Yes, it is contradictory, but, within Savater's particular style, it is a common denominator of his opinions.
This essay revolves around three central axes. The first of them is about how ethics serves and should be used to understand human beings. The second analyzes the figure of the hero and his mission, in addition to the main archetypes and myths of the culture. The third, for his part, talks about the maturity of ethics, which does not comply with positive legislation of the State. This section also addresses that democracy is only an ideal.
The garden of doubts (1993)
It is a novel set in 18th century Spain. In her, Savater examines the thoughts of Voltaire, one of the most popular and iconic figures of the Victorian era.. The work is oriented towards the same criticism that the Frenchman had raised, this means that it touches on topics such as war, the clergy, torture, superstition, religious fanaticism, royal absolutism, among other notions.
The princess's guests (2012)
Once again, Savater writes a novel that reflects current issues, politics and social criticism. The story begins when the president of Santa Clara, who is known as “The Princess,” summons several artists and writers to celebrate a festival of culture, in order to transform her small island offspring into a cultural reference. However, a nearby volcano erupts, so the guests and hostess are unable to reunite.
