Debt economy and faith. Philosophy in Contemporary Age

This essay reflects on the current status of Western Philosophy vis-à-vis the renewed importance of religion in the field of global public politics. It contextualizes the relationship between “faith” and “knowledge” as developed by canonical authors — such as Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, and Heidegger — by analyzing the failure to detach philosophical reflection from religion, especially Christianity. Departing from this discussion, the essay attempts to situate philosophy in the contemporary age. The question at its core is whether philosophy is still able to elaborate a “critical theory,” considering how, under the current the global dominance of economic power, the material structure of the economy is still permeated by elements such as faith in the markets. Further, the contemporary global economy is based on a system of credit intended to feed infinite debt.