Philosophy professor Marcelo is in a dilemma.
Like any decent movie, this dilemma is two-fold:
On the one hand, as a wise philosophy teacher as he is, he seems to be ignored, belittled and even mocked by society. In his lectures, he discusses society, power, and how society is empowered. He discusses death, life, and everything in between. Students fall into silence by his enlightenment.
But knowing enough philosophy doesn't establish him a position in society. Sure, he has the position of philosophy professor, but once he steps outside the ivory tower, the vast spiritual world built around him collapses.
His most "faithful" patron doesn't actually care about his philosophy, and is indeed using him as a tool for display. His roleplay in the party portrayed his image pretty well: A fat and bold, middle-aged man dressed like a Roman comedian.
Where is his position in this society?
And on the other side of his dilemma, his only position in ivory tower is in danger too.
A more handsome, less bold philosophy professor, is getting increasingly popular in his school. He speaks about things that are more in favor of people who live in a social-media era: Revolution, utopian society and identity politics. He's going for the head professor of this school, and once he succeeds (which is quite likely), Marcelo's old-school philosophy will be swept out.
Meanwhile, the society he's living in is in turmoil. Inflation, economy collapse, protests and martial law, the world seems to be too cruel to a philosopher: You are endowed with profound wisdom and you are soaked with ideas that are immortal throughout the whole universe, and yet, your problems at hand won't let you go so easily.
What can you do, Marcelo?
Marcelo won't say, philosophy won't say.
There is no magic spell to dispel all the trouble life gives you, even though you're a philosopher, especially you're a philosopher. But Marcelo stands there, Marcelo sings a tango.
It is too bad that I do not understand Spanish, please allow me to attach a Chinese poetry instead:
The universe is a lodging house for the myriad things,
and time itself is a traveling guest of the centuries.
This floating life is like a dream. How often can one enjoy oneself?
It is for this reason that the ancient people held candles to celebrate the night.
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