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 figures known to readers of all ages , as from the publication of his first essays, he demonstrated a remarkable ability to capture the attention of the general public, thanks to his avant-garde views on ethics, politics, society, and culture. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and nominations for his work.
Bring philosophy to young people and adults
In true French fashion, Fernando Savater often refers to himself as a "philosopher of company," in lowercase. Unlike those colleagues who treat philosophy as a lecture, this author possesses a vitalist and enlightened orientation , along with iconoclastic and polemical approaches that have earned him the admiration of some and the repudiation of others. His style also makes use of wit and irony.
Although the author prefers journalistic articles and essays to narrative fiction—genres mostly read by adults—this hasn't prevented younger readers from discovering his work. The reason is obvious: his philosophy books present arguments that, while they have matured over time, remain appealing to less experienced readers, especially due to the accessible style the writer employs in each text, drawing inspiration from authors like 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 various universities . However, his career took a turn in the fall of 1973 when his teaching contract was not renewed. This was interpreted by students as political retaliation.
The discontent among faculty and students led to demonstrations in support of Savater. After the fall of the Franco regime, the author's work was recognized, and he began teaching Ethics at the University of the Basque Country. From then on, he dedicated himself to addressing various cultural issues in his journalistic work, which made him a leading figure in the field.
philosophical stance
Fernando Savater's popularity made him a bestseller, but also a target of criticism . This was especially true regarding his arguments that philosophy is a field that should be used for provocation and the expression of subjectivity, asserting that ethics should not be subjected to abstract judgments that are unrelated to human happiness.
On the other hand, his political philosophy evolved from libertarian thought, through democratic individualism, social democracy, and liberalism, culminating in his later works with universalist outlines. To illustrate his ideas, the writer stated: “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 repeatedly proposed a completely secular society , in contrast to the fundamental role of religions in a democratic context. According to the author, this would help to confront “identity-based sectarianism, ethnicism, nationalism, and any other ideology 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 attempts to combat certain apologetic concepts that have been applied to the social sciences and political theory, such as the "Common Good," the State, Justice, the Whole, and Power. The first letters of these words are capitalized ironically, as the author believes governments use them to justify themselves.
Invitation to ethics (1982)
On this occasion, Fernando Savater turns not to sociology or psychology, but to a deliberately philosophical approach , in order to explain the very concept of the philosophical, including its foundations, possibilities, necessity, and future evolution. He 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 Savater won the National Essay Prize in 1982. It highlights the need to cultivate a taste for two kinds of rebellion: one that thrives on order and another that revels in disorder . Yes, it's contradictory, but, within Savater's particular style, it's a common thread running through his opinions.
This essay revolves around three central themes. The first addresses how ethics serves and should be used to understand human beings. The second analyzes the figure of the hero and their mission, as well as the main archetypes and myths of the culture. The third discusses the maturity of ethics, which is not currently reflected in positive state legislation . This section also addresses the idea that democracy is merely an ideal.
The garden of doubts (1993)
This novel is set in 18th-century Spain. In it, Savater examines the thoughts of Voltaire, one of the most popular and emblematic figures of the Victorian era . The work is oriented toward the same critique that the Frenchman had put forward, meaning that it touches on themes such as war, the clergy, torture, superstition, religious fanaticism, and royal absolutism, among other concepts.
The princess's guests (2012)
Once again, Savater has written a novel that explores current affairs, politics, and social commentary. The story begins when the president of Santa Clara, known as "The Princess," invites several artists and writers to a cultural celebration, hoping to transform her small island into a cultural hub. However, a nearby volcano erupts, preventing the guests and the hostess from meeting.
