The Suspension of Seriousness
On the Phenomenology of Jorge Portilla, With a Translation of Fenomenologia del relajo
Published on 2. July 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
237 pages
978-1-4384-4468-0 (ISBN)
Description
First in-depth analysis of this important Mexican philosopher's work.
The Suspension of Seriousness engages the Mexican philosopher Jorge Portilla (1919-1963), taking note of Portilla's philosophical methodology, insights, and contributions to our understanding of value, being, and subjectivity. Portilla lived a short, troubled life and never held a teaching appointment, but his works, though few in number, were nevertheless philosophically penetrating. He is a legendary character in the Mexican popular imagination of the 1940s and '50s, but little has been written about him or his philosophy. His posthumously published Fenomenologia del relajo is a phenomenological analysis of what Portilla calls "relajo" or the state we assume when we do not want to do what is seriously being asked of us-what is demanded of us. It is, Portilla says, "the suspension of seriousness." Carlos Alberto Sanchez uses Portilla's Fenomenologia del relajo as a point of departure to consider the dangers both of our uncritical adherence to values as well as our urge to reject values altogether. He argues that Portilla provides a framework in which to situate the modern condition, ourselves, and our future. The first authorized English translation of Portilla's Fenomenologia del relajo is included.
The Suspension of Seriousness engages the Mexican philosopher Jorge Portilla (1919-1963), taking note of Portilla's philosophical methodology, insights, and contributions to our understanding of value, being, and subjectivity. Portilla lived a short, troubled life and never held a teaching appointment, but his works, though few in number, were nevertheless philosophically penetrating. He is a legendary character in the Mexican popular imagination of the 1940s and '50s, but little has been written about him or his philosophy. His posthumously published Fenomenologia del relajo is a phenomenological analysis of what Portilla calls "relajo" or the state we assume when we do not want to do what is seriously being asked of us-what is demanded of us. It is, Portilla says, "the suspension of seriousness." Carlos Alberto Sanchez uses Portilla's Fenomenologia del relajo as a point of departure to consider the dangers both of our uncritical adherence to values as well as our urge to reject values altogether. He argues that Portilla provides a framework in which to situate the modern condition, ourselves, and our future. The first authorized English translation of Portilla's Fenomenologia del relajo is included.
Reviews / Votes
"Carlos Sanchez does an excellent job of bringing [Portilla's] concepts and ideas to life in a way that can be understood by anyone. He explores the themes, contexts and times of Jorge Portilla and why he is an important figure. This is a major work in the field of Latin America philosophy." - Portland Book Review"The Suspension of Seriousness is an in-depth scrutiny of a critical aspect of human consciousness and behavior, highly recommended for the philosophy shelves of college and graduate school libraries." - Midwest Book Review
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 226 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
340 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4384-4468-0 (9781438444680)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Carlos Alberto Sanchez is Associate Professor of Philosophy at San Jose State University.
Content
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Matters of Life and Death
Introduction
Jorge Portilla- An Anonymous Life
A Crisis of Relajo
The Context of the Method
On Subjectivity
A Critic of Modernity
Predictions
Chapter 2. Reading Fenomenologa;a del relajo: Part I
Situating Ourselves: El Grupo Hiperion
Approaching the Fenomenologa;a del relajo
The Descriptive Project
1.What is Relajo?
2. Four Examples of Relajo
3. Seriousness
4. A Theory of Value
5. Relajo is not mockery ["burla"], sarcasm, or "choteo"
6. Laughter and Relajo
Chapter 3. Reading Fenomenologa;a del relajo: Part II
On Freedom
On Irony
On Humor
On Personality Types
The Fenomenologa;a as a Mirror of Society
Chapter 4. Phenomenology and Fenomenologa;a
Mexican Philosophy in Profile
The Descriptive Method
The Destructive Method
Normative Considerations
Concluding Remarks
Chapter 5. Metaphysics of the Subject
Leopoldo Zea and "lo mexicano"
Portilla's Confrontation with Oretga y Gasset
1. Oretga's Views on Subjectivity
2. Portilla's Ideal of Subjectivity
Beyond Oretga
Relajo and Subjectivity
Subjectivity and Modernity
Chapter 6. The Presuppositions of Modernity
Presupposition (i): Socratic Seriousness
Presupposition (ii): Fecundity and Relajo
Post-Seriousness
A Crisis of Modernity
Concluding Remarks: Portilla and Mexican Philosophy
Notes
Bibliography
Appendix
Chapter 1. Matters of Life and Death
Introduction
Jorge Portilla- An Anonymous Life
A Crisis of Relajo
The Context of the Method
On Subjectivity
A Critic of Modernity
Predictions
Chapter 2. Reading Fenomenologa;a del relajo: Part I
Situating Ourselves: El Grupo Hiperion
Approaching the Fenomenologa;a del relajo
The Descriptive Project
1.What is Relajo?
2. Four Examples of Relajo
3. Seriousness
4. A Theory of Value
5. Relajo is not mockery ["burla"], sarcasm, or "choteo"
6. Laughter and Relajo
Chapter 3. Reading Fenomenologa;a del relajo: Part II
On Freedom
On Irony
On Humor
On Personality Types
The Fenomenologa;a as a Mirror of Society
Chapter 4. Phenomenology and Fenomenologa;a
Mexican Philosophy in Profile
The Descriptive Method
The Destructive Method
Normative Considerations
Concluding Remarks
Chapter 5. Metaphysics of the Subject
Leopoldo Zea and "lo mexicano"
Portilla's Confrontation with Oretga y Gasset
1. Oretga's Views on Subjectivity
2. Portilla's Ideal of Subjectivity
Beyond Oretga
Relajo and Subjectivity
Subjectivity and Modernity
Chapter 6. The Presuppositions of Modernity
Presupposition (i): Socratic Seriousness
Presupposition (ii): Fecundity and Relajo
Post-Seriousness
A Crisis of Modernity
Concluding Remarks: Portilla and Mexican Philosophy
Notes
Bibliography
Appendix