Both among those who, by reason of their religion and culture, consider themselves to be Jews and for those living as Jews whilst also considering themselves an integral part of the secular and cosmoplitan mindset prevalent today, the question of a Jewish identity and the main issues involved in defining it is a recurrent one: for instance, the Jewish take on history and time, Jewish persepectives as regards individuality and collectivity, and, of course, anti-Semitism to name but a few. With the sole aim of contributing to the dialogue this type of reflection invites, I would dare to posit the two-way character, at once ambiguous and conflictual, of the Jewish estate that this conversation, broadly speaking, might well end up concluding.
Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca
It is highly likely that, for many people, philosophy ultimately amounts to nothing more than an ambiguous word, used as it is in very varied contexts to refer to different things. As a common linguistic expression, the word "philosophy" doesn't have a precise substance to it and nor does it allow for a generally accepted or acceptable brief definition. We hear repeatedly about the philosophy of an electoral programme in politics or the philosophy of a marketing strategy for a product in the fields of commerce or industry. We also hear it said, in our everyday language, that it is best to look at life philosophically or that each person has their own philosophy on life. Lastly, it is said that philosophy is also a type of knowledge, somewhat vague or even obscure for some, engaged in or indulged in by certain individuals not unknown for a certain smugness and distinguishable by their aura of esotericism and mystery.
Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca
Contributor: Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca, Lecturer in History of Contemporary Philosophy, Universidad de Madrid (UNED), Spain She got out of her car, knees together, showing off her elegant high-heel shoes, her skirt cut…
Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca
Contributor: Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca, Lecturer in the History of Contemporary Philosophy, University of Madrid (UNED), Spain It was Hermann Hesse, together with a few other authors, who showed me from a very early age that…
Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca
With his face resting on the window, Alessandro looked at the Starry Night who aroused in him an inexplicable craving for remote and beautiful things. The orange trees and magnolias, still blooming, gave off strong aromas at that time. In the background the dark masses of straight olive and acacia trees marked the limit of Beccarisi Villa, the luxurious Sicilian villa of his friend Giulio where they would also spend that summer. Alessandro recalled his previous visit and finding that secret hidden corner at the end of the garden near the greenhouse, where one night he heard hugs and kisses in the dark as the moonlight created the illusion of fantastic figures fluttering behind the glass between whispered sweet words, interspersed with sighs and sudden silence. As the fermentation of the fertile and burning ground, there he also experienced the mysterious sound of the eternally creative and destructive life.
Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca
Contributor: Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca, Lecturer in the History of Contemporary Philosophy, University of Madrid (UNED), Spain Art is a pleasing, entertaining, educational trick of the imagination. In and of itself, a piece…
Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca
Contributor: Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca, Lecturer in History of Contemporary Philosophy, University of Madrid (UNED), Spain This article is about the theatrical release in Madrid of “The Name of the Rose”. Jokes, word play, irony and…
Dr. Diego Sánchez Meca
