Dialectic of Enlightenment as Sport: The Barbaric Urge within Sports, Religion, and Capitalism - Couverture souple

Donovan, Tom

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1628941626 ISBN 13 : 9781628941623

Editeur : Algora Publishing, 2015

Synopsis

Dialectic of Enlightenment as Sport: The Barbaric Urge within Sports, Religion, and Capitalism by Tom Donovan provides a sharp and philosophical critique of contemporary society, drawing from Horkheimer and Adorno's Dialectic of Enlightenment. Donovan, a philosophy teacher, reinterprets this seminal text to reveal how sports, capitalism, and religion contribute to the persistence of barbarism in modern life. By highlighting the metaphysical urge that drives irrational consumption, competitive sports culture, and religious fanaticism.
Exploring the Metaphysical Urge: At the core of Donovan's argument is the notion that Dialectic of Enlightenment is not merely a critique of rationality but a deeper investigation into the metaphysical urge that fuels the decay of modern civilization. He explains how sports, capitalism, and entertainment contribute to a culture where people seek pleasure in the domination of others rather than in human progress and reconciliation. Donovan emphasizes that this metaphysical urge prioritizes competition over collaboration, reinforcing hierarchies that distract from the real crises facing society.
The Barbarism of Modern Spectacles: Drawing examples from pop culture, sports, and religion, Donovan critiques modern spectacles such as the Super Bowl, basketball icons like LeBron James, and even reality television shows like *The Bachelor*. He argues that these spectacles are emblematic of a society that allows barbarism to flourish while pretending to celebrate enlightenment and progress. In this world, Donovan explains, people are more concerned with watching others fail than achieving collective success, leading to a society obsessed with competition rather than reconciliation.
Religion and Capitalism: Unraveling Modernity: Donovan also turns his critical eye toward religion and capitalism, explaining how these systems play a fundamental role in perpetuating class divisions and societal inequality. By comparing modern mega-churches and capitalist enterprises, he shows how religion has become intertwined with consumerism, further alienating individuals from achieving true freedom and equality. His analysis ties these institutions to the larger fabric of barbarism and domination that pervades modern life.
Critical Theory and the Frankfurt School: Readers interested in Marxism, critical theory, and the Frankfurt School will find Dialectic of Enlightenment as Sport particularly compelling. Donovan's interpretation of Horkheimer and Adorno’s work offers a fresh perspective on their critique of enlightenment, positioning the metaphysical urge as a key driver of societal regression. 
Fragmentary Style Reflecting Dialectics: In both form and content, Donovan’s book mirrors the fragmentary nature of Dialectic of Enlightenment. This style allows his argument to emerge dialectically, illustrating how the synthesis of various cultural phenomena reflects the deeper philosophical currents underlying modern life. The book's unique structure offers a dynamic way for readers to engage with its critical theory, reflecting the complexities of modern society.
A Critique for Today’s World: Donovan’s reflections are timely and relevant to modern readers, especially those grappling with the entangled dynamics of sports, capitalism, and religion in the digital age. His critique goes beyond superficial analysis to offer an in-depth exploration of how these forces impact society and contribute to the regression of civilization into new forms of barbarism. 
In conclusion, this book is an essential read for those invested in understanding critiques of capitalism, religion, sports culture, and modern entertainment, as well as those interested in the Frankfurt School, Marxism, and critical theory. It provides a fresh lens through which to view modern society's descent into spectacle-driven barbarism while offering hope for a renewed, enlightened future.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Algora Publishing
• Date d'édition: 2015
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1628941626
• ISBN 13: 9781628941623
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 178
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible