Contra el fanatismo

Por Amos Oz

«Amos Oz despliega ante nuestros ojos la naturaleza del fanatismo, ofreciéndonos a la vez el remedio para su cura universal». Nadine Gordimer, Premio Nobel de Literatura 1991
«¿Cómo curar a un fanático? Perseguir a un puñado de fanáticos por las montañas de Afganistán es una cosa. Luchar contra el fanatismo, otra muy distinta. [...]» La actual crisis del mundo, en Oriente Próximo, o en Israel/ Palestina, no es consecuencia de los valores del islam. No se debe a la mentalidad de los árabes como claman algunos racistas. En absoluto. Se debe a la vieja lucha entre fanatismo y pragmatismo. Entre fanatismo y pluralismo. Entre fanatismo y tolerancia. [...] »El fanatismo es más viejo que el islam, que el cristianismo, que el judaísmo. Más viejo que cualquier estado, gobierno o sistema político. Más viejo que cualquier ideología o credo del mundo. Desgraciadamente, el fanatismo es un componente siempre presente en la naturaleza humana, un gen del mal, por llamarlo de alguna manera.»Amos Oz

• Idioma: Español
• Editorial: Siruela
• Fecha de lanzamiento: 8 feb 2012
• ISBN: 9788498418798

Amos Oz

AMOS OZ (Jerusalén, 1939-Tel Aviv, 2018) fue uno de los autores más reputados de la narrativa israelí, así como un reconocido intelectual comprometido con el proceso de paz en Oriente Medio. Ha sido galardonado con los más prestigiosos honores y distinciones, entre ellos el Premio Príncipe de Asturias de las Letras, la Legión de Honor francesa, el Premio Goethe, el Franz Kafka o el Israel Prize. Su obra, traducida a 42 idiomas, consta de más de veinte títulos, incluyendo novelas, relatos, ensayos y libros infantiles. Pasó gran parte de su vida en el kibutz de Hulda y posteriormente en Arad, en la región del Néguev, luego vivió en Tel Aviv junto con su esposa.

Comentarios para Contra el fanatismo

[h_d_3 · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

Despite it being a wee book, it was still a little difficult for me to read because I feel so utterly ill-informed when it comes to the Israel/Palestine conflict. There's a lot here I found myself agreeing with, but there's also much here that felt slightly naive and simplistic (possibly a little one-sided), but then for all I know I may be wrong on all counts because of a lack of understanding. Overall, one idea I agreed with was of neighbours learning to live with each other, rather than loving each other. However, I'm still unsure of Amoz's views on how this can be achieved - but again, must cite ignorance as a contributing factor to why I am unsure.

It's worth a read though.

[michalsuz · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Short but not sharp, in fact almost gentle, ordinary everyday language in a conversational tone, saying what many Israelis know (I hope) - that the conflict is all about The Land, with which both people have an umbilical link...For me the most welcome part of the writing is where Oz says that the Palestinian leadership - whether Gaza or the West Bank - fail their people by not educating them about the realities of the situation - that the Jews too have a strong link to the country, that their history there goes back many centuries. Oz appeals to a maturity which neither side appears to possess.Those who most need to read this book are unlikely to do so. However, I shall send a copy to an Orthodox Jew of my acquaintance: if no one knocks at the door, it is likely to remain closed for ever. One must cling to hope.

[jawalter · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

It's not really as ambitious as its title, but this collection of two lectures and an interview is still worth a look. Oz tackles the longstanding dispute between Israel and Palestine with a wisdom and clarity that is refreshing. Does he solve the problem? Alas, no. Does he really sketch out a method to cure a fanatic? Again, he does not.

I'm certainly no expert on Middle Eastern politics, so I'm in no position to judge the viability or practicality of his suggestions, but what Oz writes feels right. I'll confess, however, that I was unconvinced by his "teaspoon" argument: that if there's a fire, we should do whatever we can to put it out, even if our only water-bearing vessel is a teaspoon. A teaspoon is about all I have, and using it to fight the conflagration of modern fanaticism feel purely futile.

[vsnunez · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

We should all read this book. It's a very short, simple, and elegant book, proposing a way forward by taking small first steps that reasonable people can do.

[5eva5 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Definitely a must-read. Even if you don't agree with Mr. Oz, he makes a fantatic argument for the old "walk a mile in someone else's shoes"-idea.

[teaperson_1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

An interesting take on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in a slim volume (adapted from a couple of lectures). Oz argues that the conflict is between two peoples, both of whom are right about their claim to the land. It's not an opinion that many partisans of both sides will accept, but that might be an argument for it. Still, it could perhaps be expanded beyond these few pages - few even with a totally unenlightening interview with Oz tacked on at the end.

[ericlee_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

This tiny little book, which you can read in under an hour, is a reminder of how much Amos Oz is missed today. The book consists of two short speeches he gave in Germany in 2002, then a few pages about the "Geneva Accords" of 2003, and then a look back a decade later in an interview. Oz was a leading light of the Israeli peace camp, a man who believed strongly in a two-state solution and above all, in the fact that both sides in the dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians could be right, and have rights. Sadly, few today at least among the political elites of Israel and Palestine, seem to share this view. And as for how to cure a fanatic, he has some simple strategies, including reading literature and having a sense of humour. Amos Oz was arguably Israel's greatest writer, but he was also one of its most decent human beings. May his memory be blessed.