Description
Works
Book Summary
This volume brings together the most striking work of José de la Luz y Caballero, an essential figure in 19th-century Cuban thought. The reader will find a carefully curated selection of his Aphorisms, brief notes written throughout his life that capture observations on philosophy, religion, science, and patriotism. More than a treatise, it is an intimate journey through the mind of a pedagogue who shaped the Creole bourgeoisie and laid the foundations for enlightened empiricism in Cuba, connecting figures such as Félix Varela with Enrique José Varona. An essential work for understanding the roots of Cuban thought.
What is it about?
José de la Luz y Caballero, considered the quintessential educator of colonial Cuba, directed his teaching toward forming a Creole bourgeoisie capable of taking on the challenges of the island's progress. His philosophical thought, rooted in empiricism and the Enlightenment, positions him as a successor to the most advanced currents of his time. This edition of his Works focuses on his Aphorisms, a collection of brief notes and observations he wrote throughout his life. In them, the author records everything that caught his attention: religious, patriotic, scientific, and human reflections, offering a multifaceted view of his intellect and the society of his time. This edition includes notes from the versions by Alfredo Zayas, Roberto Agramonte, and Alicia Conde, which enriches its academic value.
Main Themes
- Empiricist and Enlightenment philosophy in the 19th-century Cuban context.
- Pedagogy and the formation of the Creole bourgeoisie as an engine for social change.
- Reflections on patriotism, national identity, and the island's progress.
- Religious and scientific thought from a humanist perspective.
- The classical tradition of Cuban thought, connecting Varela and Varona.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is intended for students and researchers of philosophy, the history of thought, and Cuban and Spanish-American literature. It will also be of great interest to educators interested in the roots of education in Cuba and to readers seeking to understand the intellectual foundations of Cuban national identity through the eyes of one of its most prominent thinkers.
What this book offers
- Direct access to the original thought of José de la Luz y Caballero, a key figure in the Cuban philosophical canon.
- An intimate and fragmentary view of his mind through his aphorisms, which reveal his daily reflection process.
- Historical and philosophical context to understand the evolution of enlightened thought in Cuba.
- An annotated edition that integrates the work of renowned scholars, facilitating academic understanding.
Technical Specifications
- Author: de la Luz y Caballero, José
- Publisher: LINKGUA
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: LITERARY ESSAYS
- Collection: THOUGHT
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication Date: May 2025
- Number of pages: 292
- Weight: 170 g
Editorial Review
This edition of the Works of José de la Luz y Caballero is of great value to the specialized reader, making the core of his aphoristic thought accessible, accompanied by a reference critical apparatus. The work allows for an exploration into the philosophy of an author who, through pedagogy, contributed decisively to the configuration of modern thought in Cuba. It is fundamental reading for those seeking the intellectual roots of the Cuban nation and wishing to explore the work of an indispensable classic.