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 can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject". Yet despite fanaticism’s 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. Montesquieu’s Restrained Approach to Fanaticism Vickie B. 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 K. Thomason
10. Germaine de Staël 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 Alberto Sánchez
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
Biography
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.
