The Reception of María Zambrano in the Work of Felícitas Valenzuela

Abstract

This presentation examines the reception of Spanish philosopher María Zambrano in the work of Chilean scholar Felícitas Valenzuela. It highlights how Valenzuela's choice to study Zambrano and Hannah Arendt is neither accidental nor purely academic, but rather deeply personal, stemming from an identification based on shared experiences as women in contexts of discrimination and authoritarianism. The analysis focuses on Valenzuela's book about Zambrano, emphasizing its humble tone and its "from within" approach, which mirrors the author's own philosophical and political stance. It argues that Valenzuela, through Zambrano, advocates for philosophy understood as a transformative activity, linked to the rehumanization of politics and democracy, particularly relevant in the Chilean post-dictatorship context. The presentation also underscores the editorial and academic neglect that Valenzuela's work has suffered, reclaiming her place as an emerging subject in Chilean philosophy.