Olavo de Carvalho

Biography

Olavo de Carvalho (April 29, 1947 – January 24, 2022) was a Brazilian autodidact philosopher, journalist, and prolific author whose work profoundly impacted Brazil's intellectual landscape. He published over forty books, including notable titles such as A Nova Era e a Revolução Cultural (1994), O Jardim das Aflições (1995), O Imbecil Coletivo (1996), and O Mínimo que Você Precisa Saber para Não Ser um Idiota (2013), which became best-sellers. In 2009, he launched an influential online philosophy course with live lectures spanning epistemology, metaphysics, political science, and cultural critique—engaging over 80,000 students worldwide. A translator and commentator of classical and modern works, Olavo enriched Brazilian intellectual discourse through his writings, journalism, and teachings abroad, remaining one of the most prominent conservative thinkers in the Portuguese-speaking world.