Subjectivity in the life and works of Paulo Coelho

Abstract

Be it at any given point of time, humans have had to make their decisions based off their unique set of experiences. When faced with dilemmas, it becomes easier for them to turn to peers or even excerpts from philosophical texts to make decisions in precarious situations. As life becomes more and more complicated, so does a person’s understanding of these notions. Meanwhile, shifting base and travelling to be exposed to other cultures broadens horizons which only makes the process of decision- making all the more comprehensive, now that several ideologies are conflicting as well as complementing each other. This is what gives rise to a person’s subjectivity, i.e., the concept of a person’s decisions being influenced by their tastes, experiences, feeling and opinions. The rise of the notion of subjectivity has its philosophical roots in the thinking of Descartes and Kant(1), and its articulation throughout the modern era has depended on the understanding of what constitutes an individual. The aim of this paper is to unearth the myriad philosophies and beliefs Paulo Coelho encountered in his travels throughout the world and how they influenced his subjectivity which is so well reflected in his works over the years. The paper responds to the question of what role did the 20th century ideologies play in shaping the different phases of his life as well as his books.