Dialectic of enlightenment as sport

About this book

Most books on modern philsoophy are heavy going, but the lively writing here cuts through ponderous abstractions and connects concepts to real life. As Tom Donovan shows, the urge to find metaphysical significance now extends from the local church to the sports field and even into the cyber world. In their Dialectic of Enlightenment, Horkheimer and Adorno set out to "explain why humanity, instead of entering a truly human state, is sinking into a new kind of barbarism." Philosophy teacher Tom Donovan (PhD UCRiverside) offers a fresh reading of that classic text, showing that it is first and foremost a critique of the metaphysical urge. Describing our world of "stupid consumption, mindless entertainment, and perverted games and relationships" he notes, "these sorts of games have no end game, as fantasy spectators never really win, and yet they don't see it because they are too busy watching the other lose. This is the secret of class society. As long as there is someone below you, then lack of reconciliation doesn't hurt so badly." The book is for readers interested in critiques of capitalism and religion, and for those who wonder at the out-sized prominence given to sports in America, as well as readers thinking about Marxism and Critical Theory. -- from back cover.