Funcionary and mass man

Vilém Flusser and Ortega y Gasset's typification of contemporary man

Abstract

This article presents the understanding that Ortega y Gasset and Vilém Flusser had of contemporary man and his difficulties. Both comment on a historical moment where the vast majority of men reveal little concern and responsibility for their destiny and personal uniqueness. The two philosophers see a man with little commitment to excellence, superficial in dealing with things, and without adhering to a moral code as was common at other times in history. Another important aspect of this typification is that Ortega's minority concept and Flusser's official do not refer to social class, they summarize a way of life. This predominant type and described by both has a well-defined function in society. Ortega's mass-man and Flusser's employees, despite these similarities, have significant differences. For Ortega, the function performed by the minority is a specialty, a mission for which someone needs to be exceptionally qualified, while for Flusser the minority is a group that occupies little space in social life and has little weight in the destiny of the group. The presentation of this contemporary man by the two authors will make it possible to understand their understanding of their difficulties and what they need to do to overcome them.