Spanning themes from superstition, enthusiasm, emotions, purity and the need for certainty, this landmark volume is essential reading for anyone researching the history of philosophy, ethics, and moral philosophy. Also valuable to those studying fanaticism in fields such as religion, the history of political thought, and sociology.
Voltaire called fanaticism the "monster that pretends to be the child of religion". Philosophers, politicians, and cultural critics have decried fanaticism and attempted to define the distinctive qualities of the fanatic, whom Winston Churchill described as "someone who cant change his mind and wont change the subject". Yet despite fanaticisms role in the long history of social discord, human conflict, and political violence, it remains a relatively neglected topic in the history of philosophy.
In this outstanding inquiry into the philosophical history of fanaticism, a team of international contributors examine the topic from antiquity to the present day. Organized into four sections, topics covered include:
- Fanaticism in ancient Greek, Indian, and Chinese philosophy;
- Fanaticism and superstition from Hobbes to Hume, including chapters on Locke and Montesquieu, Shaftesbury, and Hutcheson;
- Kant, Germaine de Stael, Hegel, Nietzsche, William James, and Jorge Portilla on fanaticism;
- Fanaticism and terrorism; and extremism and gender, including the philosophy and morality of the "manosphere";
- Closed-mindedness and political and epistemological fanaticism.
Spanning themes from superstition, enthusiasm, and misanthropy to the emotions, purity, and the need for certainty, Fanaticism and the History of Philosophy is a landmark volume for anyone researching and teaching the history of philosophy, particularly ethics and moral philosophy. It is also a valuable resource for those studying fanaticism in related fields such as religion, the history of political thought, sociology, and the history of ideas.
1. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Fanaticism Paul Katsafanas Part
1: Fanaticism in Antiquity
2. Fanaticism and Aristotelian Excessive Fear of
the Divine Mor Segev
3. Fanaticism in Ancient Indian Philosophy Nathan
McGovern
4. Fanaticism in Classical Chinese Philosophy Eirik Harris Part 2:
Fanaticism in the Early Modern Period
5. Superstition, Enthusiasm, and
Radical Enlightenment from Hobbes to Hume Justin Steinberg
6. Locke on
Fanaticism Douglas Casson
7. Montesquieus Restrained Approach to Fanaticism
Vickie Sullivan
8. Shaftesbury and Hutcheson: Enthusiasm and Humor Rachel
Zuckert Part 3: Fanaticism in the Late Modern Period
9. Kant on Enthusiasm,
Reason, and Misanthropy Krista Thomason
10. Germaine de Staėl on Passions,
Politics, and Fanaticism Kristin Gjesdal
11. Fanatical Abstraction: Hegel on
the Hazards of Pure Thinking Dean Moyar
12. The Need for Certainty Bernard
Reginster
13. Nietzsche and William James on Scientism as Fanaticism Rachel
Cristy
14. "Apretados": Jorge Portilla on Value Fanaticism Carlos Sanchez
Part 4: Contemporary Explorations of Fanaticism
15. "Grand, Ungodly, God-Like
Man" On the Symptomatology of Fanaticism Nicolas de Warren
16. Fanaticism in
the Manosphere Mark Alfano and Paul-Mikhail Catapang Podosky
17. Fanaticism
and Terrorism Quassim Cassam
18. Extremist Women and Fanaticism Tracy Llanera
19. Fanaticism and Closed-Mindedness Heather Battaly
20. Political Fanaticism
and Epistemic Shamelessness Sophie Grace Chappell. Index
Paul Katsafanas is Professor of Philosophy at Boston University, USA. He works on moral psychology, ethics, and nineteenth-century philosophy. He is the author of Philosophy of Devotion: The Longing for Invulnerable Ideals (2022), The Nietzschean Self: Moral Psychology, Agency, and the Unconscious (2016), and Agency and the Foundations of Ethics (2013). His recent work focuses on commitment, devotion, fanaticism, and extremism.
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