Left, right or something else? José Ortega y Gasset’s intellectual influence in the ideological realm

Abstract The Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset has influenced several thinkers of the twentieth century, among whom Julius Evola, Ayn Rand, and Pierre Bourdieu specifically have been examined in this article. The selection of thinkers indicates that Ortega has influenced both those on the left and those on the various strands of the right. In relation to Evola, Ortega’s critique of the emergent masses in the age of modern democracy has been emphasized, although they do not share the same overarching social philosophy as Ortega is essentially a proponent of liberalism which Evola fiercely opposes. Regarding Rand, there are striking affinities between Ortega’s major work Revolt of the Masses and Rand’s The Virtue of Selfishness in relation to personal responsibility and the state’s role in providing welfare. Bourdieu, on his behalf, has manifestly linked his reasoning in his major work Distinction to Ortega’s work The Dehumanization of Art . Overall, this shows that Ortega’s philosophy has an impact on both the left and the right.