I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Massimo Fantini delves into what drives people to switch off their brains and engage in irrational behavior in the book “Concerning Intellectual Suicide in the Human Race: a debate on the human condition”. 

The Synopsis

Intellectual suicide corresponds to the more or less conscious decision to switch off the brain and renounce rational thought in favor of attitudes dictated by superstitions, by established habits, by prejudices, by common places. The effects of irrational choices – made with the brain switched off – can be devastating for oneself and for the others. Examples range from conformism, to religious superstitions, to ideological fundamentalism, just to name a few possibilities.

Tommaso, the protagonist of this debate, is the victim of his parents’ intellectual suicide, perpetrated through procreation. Procreation – the unilateral act by which a couple throws innocent individuals into the stillicidium of life, without weighing the consequences that the hell of existence will have on them – is the most heinous form of intellectual suicide in the human race, not least because of the scale of its consequences.

The author’s intention is to shine the spotlight on the one reality that unites us all, that accompanies our lives from birth until death, but which is casted to our periphery: the human condition.

The editing and translation of this book was done by Ian Zwaschka.

The Review

This was a thoughtful and compelling philosophical read. Using satire and fiction to bring about the themes of conformity and forgoing critical thinking in society was a brilliant way to illustrate the author’s points. The idea that by engaging in superstition and even religious practices, one is essentially committing intellectual suicide, or in other words, ignoring rational thought and thinking for one’s self, was truly thought-provoking and kept the reader engaged thoroughly. 

The unique thing about this book is that the author utilized a fictional, albeit satirical, story. Yet, the protagonist, the cast of characters, and even the setting all played a supporting role in this narrative. Instead, the book’s story helped elevate the themes the author was exploring and became a philosophical discussion between the author and the reader as Tommaso’s experiences reflect the intellectual journey the author encourages us all to embrace.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, engaging, and compelling author Massimo Fantini’s “Concerning Intellectual Suicide in the Human Race” is a must-read satire meets philosophical book. The extensive discussions the narrative inspires, and the call to arms that allows readers to think for themselves and not because of others allowed this book to flow smoothly and keep the reader invested. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Greetings, readers.

I am Massimo Fantini, an Italian author and free thinker, writing from my home in the hills just outside Bologna. In quiet moments, when I am not writing, I enjoy classical music, particularly orchestral works for violin and the Italian opera.

I graduated from a university in Bologna with a degree in civil engineering. However, the studies of my youth do not represent my life’s obsession—that is, delving into those realities which unite all members of the human race: suffering, frustrations, conflicts, and the human reactions to these. They are the events and forces that take every human as an innocent in the crib and twist and turn them into 8.1 billion unique (but intimately connected) forms.

In short, I am obsessed with exploring the intimate recesses of the human condition.

In 2018, entirely dissatisfied with my job, I sought a new form of expression. Thus, I began to write. Incessantly.

I experimented with many kinds of writing. How best to give my ideas form? Then, I found my voice through stories, giving life to characters who explore, triumph, and fail for us to watch.

In each installment of my Human Condition Trilogy, these same all-encompassing issues are approached from different directions, under different circumstances, and by different characters.

Echoing the sentiment of Heraclitus, no two people may look at the same problem, because it is different to each. From the old cynical Leonard in Concerning Fanaticism to young Tommaso (a character inspired by my own youth) in Concerning Intellectual Suicide, I tried to cast a light on a path that is a constant part of our lives, but also constantly shifting.

Through my writing, I encourage readers to find their own perspective on life. Rather than embracing the comfortable mold which society provides, like a goldfish “free” to swim around in its little bowl, I hope my readers can use my books as a steppingstone toward their own unique way of thinking. And then, I wish them the freedom to pursue it.

Art is wonderful because it is a representation of what we otherwise cannot express. I seek not to provide myself and my readers with a mere distraction (what so often passes for “entertainment”). Not a hole in which to stick our heads for a few hours, only to emerge weakened and even less able to face our reality. Rather, I offer up a representation of our shared condition.

The Human Condition.