A philosopher from São Paulo, professor emerita at the University of São Paulo and one of the world's leading experts on Spinoza's work. Her book Convite à Filosofia has shaped generations of Brazilian students. She is also an active public intellectual who writes about democracy, ideology, authoritarianism, and culture in Brazil.
Core ideas
Democracy is the permanent creation of new rights by society
Ideology hides social conflicts and makes domination seem natural
Brazilian society carries authoritarian traits inherited from its history
The tradition: Political Spinozism
Political Spinozism uses Spinoza's ideas about freedom, desire, and democracy to think about present-day politics. Chauí is the great Brazilian interpreter of this tradition.
