Umberto Eco In Conversation With Paul Holdengräber
Intelligence Squared
00:00
The Construct of the Enemy
This chapter examines the philosophical idea of needing an enemy to reinforce identity through personal anecdotes and historical perspectives. It explores how different cultures, especially Italy, have constructed the notion of an enemy for unity, while analyzing character representations in literature that embody societal prejudices. The discussion probes the dual nature of hatred and love, emphasizing the unifying effect of hatred contrasted with the isolating implications of love.
Transcript
Play full episode
