Review Of: Eros Agony

Review of: Eros agony

The book ‘The agony of Eros’, written by Byung-Chul have a philologist, theologian and recognized philosopher of contemporary thought that in much of his writings criticizes capitalism. A very interesting fact is that it is of Korean origin but writes its writings in German. He has achieved such relevance that his writings are translated into Spanish, in fact this fragment of the original text was translated by Raúl Gabás in Spain (the agony of Eros, 2014). The work is expected to be a fundamental part of critical thinking.

It is based on an analysis of issues such as human relationships, love and passion. (Wikipedia, 2015), from a consumerist and narcissistic perspective. Try to explain how today we no longer seek love as such, but a simple companion, that is, a space where we feel comfort but not experiment, feel euphoria or passion for the roots of our comfort zone.

In the first melancholy chapter, which also adduces a film they have used as a reference, the depression of Justine, the protagonist, can be felt. This depression that she attacks when she apparently has everything, but in reality she has nothing; which in turn produces a vacuum. We can also see that he names works such as the hunters in the snow of Piter Brueghel or the deer that Ronca de Carl Frederick Hill, which brings the melancholic environment of the feature film. With the passage of time the society in which we live is more narcissistic. Byung-Chul have mentioned in his work the agony of Eros: “The narcissistic subject cannot clearly fix his limits.

In this way, the limit between him and the other is diluted. The world is presented only as self-projections "

In the section Power Power, the famous saga is set as an example. And they have described it as ‘sweet torture’, a way of feeling that is only experienced in the sexual act. This reifies Eros. He also limits how we all have the power to do things, but not the duty to do so, being a freedom disguised. A clear example, in this quarantine it would be to leave, we can do it, but we should not do it; They make me believe that I can decide whether or not to leave, but I know that there is a regulation that does not allow me and that is why it is still at home.

The mere life addresses a comfort zone perspective. Be a slave because I’m afraid of death and how I’m alive, I’m fine. I do not see the need to leave and risk my skin. It is rather a routine comfort where accumulated goods are not lost. Hence the fear of losing for love, because this supposes deliver to the other and the loss of himself. So if we see it from a narcissistic point, the loss of itself cannot be allowed. To which authors such as Hegel, Nietzsche, Bataille, Illouz and Ficino support.

The text is very intrepid when criticizing Eros in modern times from perspectives that at first glance would not seem to be related to when comparing the capitalism of love. In addition to the fact that in all this fragment of the text it is always accompanied by quotes from great characters such as Nietzsche or Hegel, and literary works of Lars von Tier or the well -known literary saga fifty shadows of Gray that had its film adaptation. The fact that these examples exist makes the reader infer or relate what is being read, although there are unknown terminologies, allow us to ask ourselves why the author makes exemplifications with such works or authors. There is something we notice and it is that the work is related, each chapter with the other. This gives us tools because there are terms that are answered and analyzed in the first chapter, that in the next chapter they will be used and we no longer have the need to look for unknown words.

In conclusion, the book The agony of Eros, gives us a different perspective about love, taking into account the point of view of several authors. It also refers that today love is no longer sought, but a place where you feel comfort is sought. Moreover, we had a degree of difficulty to understand the text that certainly gave us what to think for a long time from the first reading until the 5 time we repeat it. This proposal is enjoyable, despite its difficult understanding, especially when it tells us about Eros (love) from the perspective of other people. For this reason, we consider that it can be a captivating reading, not only for people interested in the subject of love, but for the general public. For these reasons, we recommend their reading to those who are interested in knowing a new perspective about love and passion.