Who is Alain Badiou and Why is He Considered to be the Most Influential Contemporary French Philosopher? (video in Armenian)

Badiou was born in Morocco and devoted most of his life to the struggle for freedom in Algeria against colonization. Alan Badiou is from an anti-fascist family that suffered from Western colonization. Throughout his life he fought for the colonized countries - Latin America, Morocco, Algeria. Badiu had a great ideological influence on the political movements in Latin America. “I am a philosopher and I believe that philosophers should be optimistic. Pessimists don’t even need philosophy. Many things in life are already in their favor. Our job is to make people believe that the world will become a better place.”

Alain Badiou has authored more than 30 books. His main works touch upon the topics of existence and truth. The first book was published in 1969, but the most fertile years of his career were the 1980s. Badiou is a Marxist. Here is what he says about money and wealth:“Money makes money. Money always demands more money. That is why the rich never get enough. On the other hand, money is not the problem at all. The problem is the passion for money. This is an abstract passion. Uncontrollable desire.”

The main work of the most famous French philosopher is the book "Century", where he touches upon the problems of the 20th century. This is what the popular magazines write about this work. According to Le Figaro, this book gives the final summary of the 20th century. “Leaving aside the pure philosophy, Badiou presents the finalized summary of the 20th century. The outcome is impressive.”

The book "Century" redefines the political passions of the last century, which do not fade even after the end of the communist utopia. The book is based on Badiou’s 13 lectures, which he read during the seminars of the International College of Philosophy in 1998-2001. Badiou unpacks the main characteristics of the 20th century. “The 20th century was an era of terrorism, utopian and criminal ideology, genocide, abstract and empty illusions. But it was not my intention to appear in this book as a cruel or wise judge. I just tried to understand why that era was cursed and what happened in the 20th century.”

In this book, Badiou does not come up with a final accusation. Instead, he simply opens the case of the 20th century. He considers that the driving force behind the century is the passion for the real matters - to get everything here and now. The "Century" was aimed to move people forward and to act. The 20th century was not about promises and hopes. In fact, it was a cycle of realization and fulfillment.