Boaventura de Sousa Santos, born in Coimbra in 1940, emerged as an outstanding intellectual whose path was shaped by a series of experiences and intellectual encounters that profoundly influenced his academic and philosophical development. Coming from a working class family, his determination and talent led him to law school. In his quest for knowledge, Dr. Sousa Santos encountered the influential figure of Dr. Adérito Sedas Nunes and his clandestine social science studies group, who enlivened his interest in these subjects at a time when they were banned by the Portuguese dictatorship.
His stay in West Berlin during the Cold War introduced him to the political and social environment of the time, inspiring his later engagement with social movements and his adoption of Marxism as a theoretical framework for understanding society. In addition, he was a direct witness to the student movement and social struggles that were shaking Europe in 1968. Moreover, his experience in Brazil, living in a favela and studying the neighborhood association, confronted him with the realities of inequality and oppression. This daily contact with the wisdom and dignity of marginalized people marked the birth of his interest in epistemology, which would later translate into the theorization of the “epistemologies of the South”.
Boaventura de Sousa Santos obtained his PhD in 1973 and, although he had the opportunity to teach in the United States, he chose to return to Portugal just at the time of the April 25th Revolution. He was also elected director of the Faculty of Economics in Coimbra and set about founding the Faculty almost from scratch. In 1978, he created the Center for Social Studies, which has grown into a community of 150 researchers. His studies on Portuguese society were noted for their unique vision, developing theories such as that of the “semi-periphery” in the European context. He also contributed to the concept of “welfare society” as a parallel structure to the welfare state.
The fifth transformative experience was his foundational intervention at the World Social Forum in 2001, where his philosophical and epistemological vision was broadened by the encounter of diverse cultures and perspectives. This diversity led him to the creation of the “epistemologies of the South”, an approach that advocates a plurality of knowledge and a decolonization of thought.
Throughout his life, Boaventura de Sousa Santos has built a rich and diverse intellectual path, influenced by encounters with leading figures and experiences that have allowed him to develop a unique perspective in literature and philosophy, enriching his own path and enriching the global intellectual landscape.
Boaventura de Sousa Santos’ publications related to political and social theory
Boaventura de Sousa Santos is an author with a prolific trajectory in writing and research. Throughout his career, he has published a number of influential books that address fundamental issues in contemporary social and political theory.
Notable works by Boaventura de Sousa Santos include “Reinventing Democracy” (1999), a work that challenges conventional conceptions of democracy and proposes a more inclusive and participatory vision of the political system. In “The Orphan Millennium” (2005), Sousa Santos reflects on political culture in a constantly changing world and examines the possibilities of building a new political culture. Furthermore, in “Critical Legal Sociology” (2009), the author advocates a more critical and socially sensitive approach in the field of law.
A recurring theme in Boaventura de Sousa Santos’ books is his commitment to Southern perspectives and the decolonization of knowledge. In “Justice among Knowledges” (2017), Sousa Santos explores the epistemologies of the South as a response to epistemicide, promoting the diversity of knowledge and voices.
In “The Future Begins Now” (2021), the author reflects on the challenges posed by the pandemic and seeks to chart a utopian vision for the future. Throughout his career, Sousa Santos has collaborated with other scholars, as in “Epistemologies of the South” (2014) together with Maria Paula Meneses and “Demodiversity” (2017) with José Manuel Mendes, promoting a plural and enriching dialogue in academia.
Boaventura de Sousa Santos continues his commitment to research and writing, as evidenced in his book “Economies of Good Living” (2022), where he advocates for an economy that prioritizes well-being and sustainability. His extensive body of work represents a valuable contribution to contemporary social and political theory, and his focus on Southern perspectives and social justice remains relevant in a world in constant transformation.
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