MONTREAL (Quebec, Canada): conference “The power of desire”

"Desire is the essence of man," wrote Spinoza. And the human being is probably the only living being in whom desire has an infinite character. When it is situated in the domain of being (knowledge, love), the infinite character of desire enriches the human being and benefits all living things. When it is situated in the domain of having, on the other hand, the infinite character of desire leads to the ideology of "always more," which makes individuals perpetually dissatisfied and is the main cause of ecological catastrophe.

How can we properly direct our desires to be happy and harmonize them with those of other living beings? How can we cultivate vital and creative impulse and avoid the trap of envy or mimetic desire?