Our societies today are characterized by a universal algophobia: a
generalized fear of pain. We strive to avoid all painful conditions
- even the pain of love is treated as suspect. This algophobia
extends into society: less and less space is given to conflicts and
controversies that might prompt painful discussions. It takes hold
of politics too: politics becomes a palliative politics that is
incapable of implementing radical reforms that might be painful, so
all we get is more of the same. Faced with the coronavirus
pandemic, the palliative society is transformed into a society of
survival. The virus enters the palliative zone of well-being and
turns it into a quarantine zone in which life is increasingly
focused on survival. And the more life becomes survival, the
greater the fear of death: the pandemic makes death, which we had
carefully repressed and set aside, visible again. Everywhere, the
prolongation of life at any cost is the preeminent value, and we
are prepared to sacrifice everything that makes life worth living
for the sake of survival. This trenchant analysis of our
contemporary societies by one of the most original cultural critics
of our time will appeal to a wide readership.
General
Imprint: |
Polity Press
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
July 2021 |
Authors: |
B. Han
|
Dimensions: |
209 x 162 x 8mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
76 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-5095-4724-1 |
Categories: |
Books >
Humanities >
Philosophy >
General
Books >
Philosophy >
General
|
LSN: |
1-5095-4724-X |
Barcode: |
9781509547241 |
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