KOREA FOUNDATION

The Revolt of the Masses
Written by José Ortega y Gasset
Translated into Korean by Hwangbo Youngjo
Published by Espasa, 1930; Korean Translation by Yuksabipyeong-sa, 2005

The Revolt of the Masses is an interpretation of civilization, authored by the Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset. Nearly a century has passed since its publication, but the book still provides valid explanations about more than just a few contemporary social phenomena. The author’s writing on principles of life brought me so much clarity and comfort when I struggled over thoughts on how to live my life that I still read and ponder that section from time to time. If I am asked to pick just one single book that has influenced me tremendously, I would choose this one.

As I finish this brief review, I would like to introduce my favorite passage from the book. I hope our readers will read the book and find it equally empowering.

“Life, which means primarily what is possible for us to be, is likewise, and for that very reason, a choice, from among these possibilities, of what we actually are going to be. Our circumstances—these possibilities—form the portion of life given us, imposed on us. [. . . ] It is, then, false to say that in life ‘circumstances decide.’ On the contrary, circumstances are the dilemma, constantly renewed, in presence of which we have to make our decision; what actually decides is our character.”

Written by Kim Joon-seop, Assistant Director, KF Auditor

Next Month’s “KF Culture Walk” will be written by Woo Jiwon, Senior Program Officer, KF Arts and Culture Department.

[Previous Articles]

ㆍOctober 2020: Give and Take, recommended by Kim Soo-yeon, Assistant Director in KF Korean Studies Department

ㆍSeptember 2020: A Gentleman in Moscow, recommended by Jeong Eun-sil, Assistant Director in KF Invitation & Fellowship Department

ㆍAugust 2020: The Great Game, recommended by KF Chief Auditor Moon Sung-ki

ㆍJuly 2020: The Horse Thieves, Roads of Time, recommended by KF Executive Vice President Kim Seong-in

ㆍJune 2020: Loonshots, recommended by KF Executive Vice President Kang Young-pil

ㆍMay 2020: Rise of the Robots, recommended by KF President Lee Geun

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