The usefulness of the useless

The utility of the useless.

The utility of the useless.

The usefulness of the useless. Manifest, is a book by the Italian professor and philosopher Nuccio Ordine. It was translated into Spanish by Jordi Bayod and published by the Acantilado publishing house in 2013. It critically addresses the relegation of humanistic subjects in civic education. Well, in the opinion of the Calabrian writer, the commodification of education and technical subjects is prioritized in favor of “profitable” activities.

Literary analysts such as Miguel Guerra (2013) from the University of Zaragoza have been emphatic in supporting the approaches embodied in The usefulness of the useless. Guerra expresses, "... through any of its pages you will surely find an anecdote, a quote, an observation that justifies the need to disseminate this book." Ordine's work expresses premises whose validity seems to be reaffirmed day after day.

About the author, Nuccio Ordine

Nuccio Ordine was born in Diamante, Calabria, on July 18, 1958. He is considered an authority on Renaissance and current Giordano Bruno issues. He currently teaches Italian Literature at the University of Calabria. He is also an honorary member of the Center for Italian Renaissance Studies at Harvard University and the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung.

Likewise, Ordine is part of the adjunct staff at numerous universities in the United States (Yale, New York) and in Europe (EHESS, École Normale Supérieure Paris, University Institute of Paris, among others). His works have been translated into more than 15 languages. He is also a columnist for Run from the Sera and director of prestigious Renaissance collections in Naples, Turin and Milan.

To get into context, a fragment of the work

“In the universe of utilitarianism, in effect, a hammer is worth more than a symphony, a knife more than poetry, a wrench more than a painting: because it is easy to take charge of the effectiveness of a utensil while it is increasingly difficult to understand what music, literature or art can be used for.

«The pages that follow make no pretense of forming an organic text. They reflect the fragmentation that has inspired them. For this reason also the subtitle —Manifesto— could seem disproportionate and ambitious if it were not justified by the militant spirit that has constantly animated this work ”.

Structure of the work

From the outset, the author expresses his motivations for writing the essay, which are based on his militant spirit. At the same time, Ordine clarifies that his premise was not to elaborate an organic writing, therefore, his story is neither objective nor complete. He uses analogies drawn from texts from different periods presented in a certain chronological order to justify his argument from The usefulness of the useless.

The three chapters

The book is divided into three chapters:

  • The first one delves into the benefits of literature and other "useless" arts.
  • The second is dedicated to positive transformation driven by the practicality of profit in teaching, research and culture.
  • The third chapter breaks down the harmful consequences of the "illusion" of possession on the dignitas homalis. As a closing (perfect), an essay by Abraham Flexner is exposed.

The humanities in the XNUMXst century

Nuccio Ordine.

Nuccio Ordine.

In the introduction of The usefulness of the useless, the Italian intellectual details the predominant materialistic plot in current education. In this context, educational programs and ministerial budgets are planned with an obvious disregard for the humanities. Well, they are areas of free and detached essence, separated from "more practical applications" and profitable.

In contrast, humanistic knowledge goes far beyond cultivating the spirit. Thanks to their selfless nature, these are crucial to the evolution of civilization and the cultural development of humanity. In addition, Ordine defends that the character of integral education cannot be biased by relegating knowledge aimed at non-utilitarian and / or commercial purposes.

Compassion and common sense

Ordine does not want to show the humanities above all other knowledge. Rather, it describes the intrinsic value of science, technical subjects, and competitiveness. However, he insists that even practical disciplines have an additional value, very different from the mercantilist one. Therefore, all the areas of formation of the human being can be oriented simultaneously towards critical and compassionate thinking; they are not exclusive.

The useful futility of literature

According to Wilson Enrique Genao in University Pedagogy Notebook (2015), the author takes the interdisciplinary reflections of "clergymen like Vincenzo Padula" to defend your thesis. Add “poets and writers like Ovid, Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Dickens, García Lorca, Márquez. And philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Michel Montaigne, Martin Heidegger and Paul Ricoeur… ”.

In this way, it highlights the importance of reading great masters of literature without focusing on getting any benefit or specific instruction. Ordine argues that the main purpose of these philosophical readings is playful. However, the contribution in terms of humanistic awareness and deep thought is undeniable, which frequently represent the most difficult to explain.

Gratuity vs. utilitarianism

Faced with the archetype of utilitarianism and fundamentalist mercantilist doctrine, Ordine offers the value of illusion, ideals and detachment. Gratuity is opposed to Heiddiengger's concept of man, who, overwhelmed by everyday life, leads an existence devoid of color. That is to say - without directly attacking capitalism - the author points to an educational system that forms machines without a soul.

A person without time to contemplate "useless things" is a prisoner of his own basic needs, a being without a pleasant existence. The diamond philosopher concludes the first chapter by pointing out the peremptory role of the humanities in the formation of responsible, methodical and socially committed citizens.

The university-company and the student-clients

The second chapter focuses on the paradox that still awakens the nineteenth-century quality of "art for art's sake" in today's society. Consequently, it has become very difficult to overcome the trend of the seemingly unstoppable transformation of universities into companies. In such circumstances, students unhesitatingly assume the role of customers motivated, above all, by a future with material prosperity.

Quote by Nuccio Ordine.

Quote by Nuccio Ordine.

So, "if the client is always right", the quality of the teaching yields to the prejudice of obtaining a degree in the shortest possible time. This circumstance also drags the faculty, turned into mere servile bureaucrats of the commercial gear of the university-company. Consequently, Ordine considers it imperative to redesign a university system aimed almost exclusively at the production of "profitable personnel."

And the art?

Laura Luque Rodrigo from the University of Jaén, breaks down the meaning of Baudelaire's idea cited by Ordine: “the useful man is frightening”. In his publication (2014) of The Evil GeniusLuque asks: “Does this mean that we must flee from utility? Must art by definition be useless to be beautiful? ”.

Luque argues “… throughout history, (art) has had various functions, be it catechetical, glorifying, political, purely aesthetic, and so on. In the end, then, every creation has a utility, although the result, the final object, has no interest on the part of the creator as happened to Aureliano Buendía, whose ultimate benefit was experience, therefore, if we want it, we will always find functionality to all creation.”

Art and culture in times of crisis

Nuccio Ordine uses phrases from Henry Newman and Victor Hugo to recriminate budget cuts to humanistic subjects in educational programs. It even insists on doubling the portfolios destined for cultural and artistic programs in adverse situations. Accordingly, the author does not conceive of any teaching projection if it is planned devoid of the great classics.

Possess kills: Dignitas hominis, Love, Truth

In the third part of The usefulness of the useless, Ordine deliberates around the false expectations derived from wealth and power. It represents the contemptuous position of the Italian philosopher in the face of the superficial attitude of those who appreciate others based on clothing. Similarly, the Italian philosopher analyzes the theme of love and interpersonal relationships dominated by the unfailing factor of possessions.

Within the scope of dignitas Hominis, love and truth are the propitious territory to manifest true selflessness. Therefore, in the Ordine criterion it is impossible to appreciate the dignitas hominis under the conventional parameters of today's society. It embodies a very great contradiction trying to express gratuitousness in the middle of a "civilization" incapable of breaking the materialist mold from its own pedagogy.

Conclusion and Abraham Flexner's essay as an annex

Together, Nuccio Ordine's manifesto plus Flexner's essay invite the reader to permanent reflection as a way of recognizing their dignity. A condition achievable only through education focused on comprehensive training, without biases or budget cuts caused by (the excuse of) times of crisis. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider in this regard to find an adequate response to our digital age.

Finally, Flexner urges to uninhibit the natural curiosity of people with the aim of promoting "the free search for useless knowledge". Because it is important? Well, in the past humanity has already demonstrated the valuable transcendental consequences of the creative freedom of the human being. If a supposedly "useless" object is harmless, what is the point of treating it as a harmful or dangerous item?


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  1.   Luciano so much said

    the trivialization of "commercialization", as a kind of flaw of civilization, negates at least one aspect of Ordine's book: if I don't go to a bookstore (in person or online), he decided to buy his book, I authorize the payment with my card, I hope that an email brings it to me, I would never read what it holds. This of the material vs the spiritual-real is an exaggeration that confuses. To the most deprived and candid. (And I have the book in three languages, because of the nuances, you see?).
    I mentioned it to the author himself, via twitter, who at least laughed, coincidentally ...