El artículo presenta los desarrollos de Jorge Portilla en la indagacipon sobre la fenomenología del relajo. Esa explicación se problematiza con el fin de ver sus posibilidades y alcances a partir de tres teorías filosóficas sobre el humor: la teoría de la superioridad, la teoría del alivio y la teoría de la incongruencia. Finalmente, se expone cómo el abordaje de la comicidad es central para ver el despliegue intencional y corporal de los sujetos en sitaciones del mundo de la (...) vida a partir de descripciones fenomenológicas. (shrink)

Introduction: Mexican Philosophy: What Is It and Why It Matters -- Relajo -- Nepantla -- Zozobra -- Corazonada -- Tik -- Figure of the World -- Mexistentialism.

First in-depth analysis of this important Mexican philosopher’s work.

_First in-depth analysis of this important Mexican philosopher’s work._.

This essay discusses Jorge Portilla’s phenomenological analysis of values and freedom in his essay, “The Phenomenology of Relajo.” Portilla argues that genuine freedom requires seriousness and sincerity; it requires wholehearted participation in cultural practices that one finds truly valuable. To support his argument, Portilla examines the ways that values and freedom are undermined when cultural practices are disrupted and break down as a result of the antics of the so-called "relajiento," a kind of “class clown” figure in Mexican culture (...) who refuses to take anything seriously. Carlos Sánchez has criticized Portilla's rejection of the relajiento, suggesting that the relajiento’s disruptive behavior may be a liberatory act of defiance against the legacy of colonialism. I argue, however, that Portilla was right to see the relajiento’s behavior as counterproductive in the fight for liberation from oppression. (shrink)

The paper presents a journey along the history of phenomenology (Husserlian Phenomenology or phenomenology derived from Husserl) in Mexico, dealing mainly with its appropriation in the field of philosophy proper. The survey covers almost the whole century, leaving out only the last years and the present situation. Although all those philosophers who came in touch with phenomenology in a significant way in that period are mentioned here, particular attention is laid upon three figures and their meaning in Mexican philosophical culture: (...) they are Antonio Caso, the first influential thinker and professor to dedicate a book to Husserl''s philosophy; José Gaos, who enjoys a well-deserved fame as teacher and translator of phenomenological works, and Jorge Portilla, the author of a most valuable phenomenological essay: Phenomenology of Relajo. Thus, in these three cases, their contributions are explored in a somewhat more detailed way. (shrink)