From Presocratics to Podemos: Reflections on the Work of Agustín García Calvo

The talk seeks to introduce the English-speaking reader to the philosophical thought of Agustín García Calvo and, specifically, to illustrate the reception that his interpretation of Presocratic thinkers has had on Spanish political life. The research is structured around three moments: first, I will study his hermeneutical work on Presocratic thinkers and the logic that grounds their discourse. Next, and following from the analysis of certain key concepts in the thought of García Calvo, I will show the influence that the Presocratic thinkers had on his political thought. Finally, I will investigate the impact that certain of these Presocratically inspired ideas have had on political parties, trade unions and social movements situated to the left on the Spanish political spectrum.