Book Presentation

March 21st - Turin (Circolo dei Lettori) 18h

THE BOOK

Carlo de Blasio‘s book entered the Italian bookshops on October 24th 2019. It is a philosophical handbook, in Italian, entitled <Il Sangue e l’Anima> (<The Blood and the Soul>). Guida editori of Naples is the publisher. Firstly, the volume (260 pages) is an actualization of the <CARE OF SELF> philosophy. Secondly, it features many references to movies, books, songs and ordinary-life situations. Thirdly, the volume does not elaborate on the ancient philosophies which inspired the author. Therefore, the book is simply the presentation of Carlo de Blasio’s philosophy, in a plain and discursive way.

Picture of the social campaign for the March 21st event

Social banner (for Italian audience) of the March 21st 2020 event in Turin, Italy.

THE EVENT

The presentation of Carlo de Blasio’s book was scheduled on March 21st 2020 (beginning of the Spring season) at Circolo dei Lettori in Turin. This cultural venue (via Giambattista Bogino 9) is where the author held some 4-day seminars in 2017 – 2018. Due to the lockdown caused by covid-19 the presentation of the book was deleted a few days in advance. Carlo de Blasio’s meetings in Turin usually feature celebrated movies as the starting points of any discussion. This is a way to widen the audience beyond the philosophy-enthusiasts borders. In the same way, the book indicates movies and songs which are pertinent to the philosophical discourse. Today music and visual products have an impact larger than university classes in philosophy. But philosophy can take advantage of the penetration that songs and films have among people. Lyrics need content, screenplays need thickness, theatrical pieces need subjects.

Book cover with picture and credits.

THE FORMAT

Maria Concetta Mattei, anchor-woman of the national newscast Tg2, had to introduce Carlo de Blasio to the audience of Circolo dei Lettori. Her intention was to ask questions about the book and to comment on its philosophical ideas. This kind of format is not a banalization of philosophical arguments and topics. Instead, it is a way to give philosophy back to the most popular and widespread audiences. Philosophy must not stay only in the university classrooms. Philosophy was intended as a way of thinking and living. Hence it needs now to return in the streets, squares and homes, among the everyday people.

 

Social banner of the event

Social banner (for Italian audience) of the March 21st 2020 event in Turin, Italy.