Five Essays on Ethical Themes

In the Russian tradition, Nazism is referred to as "fascism." Umberto Eco, a cultural scholar, publicist, and philosopher, does not dispute the terminological discrepancy. On the contrary, in the key essay of the collection, he highlights the common principles of different totalitarian regimes and helps to rethink the roots of what he calls "eternal fascism" in its historical and, unfortunately, contemporary manifestations. This collection of essays provides food for thought about hatred, war, and religion—reflections that unite those who care about the world, those who realize that the victory of reason over regression is never final, and that internal work is always mandatory for each of us. Morality, ethics, conscience, virtue, citizenship—the difference is again only in the terminology. The essence is one: the lessons of history are only useful if people do not take the trouble to ponder them. And mental labor alongside Eco is usually not burdensome; conversing with him is both a joy and an entertainment.