Joëlle Zask's 'Ammirare' Explores Admiration as Democratic Antidote to Cynicism and Idolatry
The article reviews Joëlle Zask's 2024 book 'Ammirare. Elogio di un sentimento che ci fa crescere', translated into Italian by Qiqajon in 2026. Zask, a French political and social philosopher known for participatory democracy and ecological thought, argues that admiration counters contemporary cynicism and idolatry—indifference and fanatic attachment. She positions admiration as a democratic sentiment that fosters growth, contrasting it with Spinoza's 'sad passions' as revisited by Benasayag. The review, by Francesca Rigotti and Anita Romanello, highlights the book's premise that admiration serves as an antidote to apathy and personality cults, promoting engagement without blind devotion.
Key facts
- Joëlle Zask is a French political and social philosopher.
- Her book 'Ammirare. Elogio di un sentimento che ci fa crescere' was published in 2024.
- The Italian translation by Qiqajon was released in 2026.
- Zask advocates for participatory democracy combined with ecological thought.
- The book treats admiration as a sentiment with democratic vocation.
- Admiration is presented as an antidote to cynicism and idolatry.
- Cynicism is described as indifference, idolatry as fanatic adherence.
- The review references Spinoza's 'sad passions' and Benasayag's interpretation.
Entities
Artists
- Joëlle Zask
- Francesca Rigotti
- Anita Romanello
- Spinoza
- Benasayag
Institutions
- Qiqajon