Call for Papers
Today's right-wing extremism is one of the most serious threat to our democratic society, but conspicuously not a topic for philosophy. To some extent, of course, there is a philosophical debate about the far right. But it remains marginal and lags behind the level of discussion in other academic disciplines. Right-wing extremism is seen – perhaps rightfully so – as not containing any 'thought', certainly none that deserves philosophical criticism. What the far right calls 'thinking' seems more like a strategic attempt to provide a pseudo-philosophical foundation for its own inhumanity. In philosophy, historical National Socialism and Fascism sometimes become thematic and, at best, the starting point for a few allusions that are carried forward into the present. Philosophy apparently no longer sees itself as responsible for criticising current developments in the German and international context, and the relevant diagnoses of the past and present are gladly left to sociology and related disciplines. Connections between philosophy itself and right-wing extremism are often overlooked, historicised or treated as isolated cases: Remarks that are basically a foreign body in a book; or contributions by other philosophers that are frowned upon at best. Right-wing extremism seems to be aphilosophical in every respect, and as a philosopher it is better to keep one's distance from an object of investigation that seems neither satisfying nor career-enhancing.
In our research project MISRIK, we analysed the communication strategies of the 'New Right' and repeatedly came across the term 'philosophy': The authors of the right-wing scene lay claim to philosophy, referring to classical and contemporary texts of philosophy, but also to marginalised authors who have allegedly been canceled and forgotten by 'woke' 'university philosophy' (in fact, most of them are well-known names). They refer to the writings of the Counter-Enlightenment as well as to culturally pessimistic and right-wing conservative thinkers who supposedly belonged to a very different philosophical tradition. They claim to be making philosophical contributions themselves, but often without being or wanting to be recognised 'in the academic field'. A striking number have studied philosophy, but usually distance themselves from 'university philosophy'. Nevertheless, they try to reach out to students: they compile reading lists, promote their own book clubs, and offer online seminars (usually of questionable quality). However, it seems too easy to dismiss all this as 'cargo cult' or pseudo-philosophy: there is something going on – certainly mostly far away from established philosophy institutes – that deserves our critical attention.
We are looking for critical, empirically informed contributions – in German or English – for a philosophical workshop (online) on contemporary right-wing extremism in all its breadth. Topics might include:
- How does the contemporary far right use philosophy? Which philosophical themes, disciplines and schools are being referred to? Is the relationship of an intellectually self-representing ‘new right’ to philosophy strategic? Are only single bits and pieces or methods being adopted – or is there even a ‘right-wing philosophy’? How can we engage with it? Do we expose it and reject it (how?) or does it have something to say to us that we can and should critically reflect upon?
- Which points of contact with the far right in terms of philosophy and/or intellectual history – beyond the ‘Heidegger case’ – are still relevant for us today? How should we deal with them?
- Are there systematic points of reference between right-wing extremism and philosophy(ies) that we are not (yet) aware of? Is accelerationism perhaps such a ‘right-wing oriented’ movement of thought?
- What vocabulary should we use to describe this phenomenon? Is ‘right-wing extremism’ appropriate, or do we need to differentiate further here? Are we dealing with some kind of fascism? Can the theory of fascism still help us here? How do we need to update it?
- Does philosophy help us to categorise the reflections of comparative fascism research and theory and to answer questions such as the relationship between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ right?
- How could the far right become a topic in the study of philosophy?
- What role does philosophy play for right-wing influencers?
We are interested in philosophical analyses of historical phenomena insofar as they are closely related to the contemporary phenomena of right-wing extremism. We would like the contributions to refer to the current state of discussion in German and/or international research on right-wing extremism and fascism. We would also like the contributions to be attentive to developments in other countries – especially with regard to the increasing international networking of right-wing extremism.
Suggestions for topics in the form of a short synopsis (maximum 600-700 words plus references, in PDF format) should be sent to kai.denker@tu-… by 27 September 2024 (extened deadline). Please use the template provided below We will inform you of the acceptance or rejection of the topic proposals by 6 October 2024. The workshop will take place online (via Zoom) on 28 and 29 November 2024. We have planned a format of 20 minute presentations followed by 25 minutes of discussion. Please contact us by email if you have any questions.
