In a world increasingly affected by climate change and societal dysfunction, the writings of Ivan Illich, a prophet of the 1970s era of limits, are becoming increasingly relevant. Two new books, “Ivan Illich: An Intellectual Journey” by David Cayley and “The Prophet of Cuernavaca: Ivan Illich and the Crisis of the West” by Todd Hartch, shed light on his ideas. Illich questioned the foundations of modern certainty, such as progress, economic growth, and education. He argued that Western modernity’s focus on productivity led to the degradation of conviviality and the loss of personal autonomy. Illich’s radical ideas about enoughness, education, and healthcare still resonate today as we confront the limitations of our current systems.
https://www.noemamag.com/a-forgotten-prophet-whose-time-has-come/