Fanaticism and the History of Philosophy

<p>Voltaire called fanaticism the "monster that pretends to be the child of religion". Philosophers, politicians, and cultural critics have decried <i>fanaticism</i> and attempted to define the distinctive qualities of the <i>fanatic</i>, 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.</p><p>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:</p><ul> <p> </p> <li>Fanaticism in ancient Greek, Indian, and Chinese philosophy;</li> <li>Fanaticism and superstition from Hobbes to Hume, including chapters on Locke and Montesquieu, Shaftesbury, and Hutcheson;</li> <li>Kant, Germaine de Stael, Hegel, Nietzsche, William James, and Jorge Portilla on fanaticism;</li> <li>Fanaticism and terrorism; and extremism and gender, including the philosophy and morality of the "manosphere";</li> <li>Closed-mindedness and political and epistemological fanaticism.</li> </ul><p>Spanning themes from superstition, enthusiasm, and misanthropy to the emotions, purity, and the need for certainty, <i>Fanaticism and the History of Philosophy</i> 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.</p> <p>1. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Fanaticism <i>Paul Katsafanas </i><b>Part 1: Fanaticism in Antiquity </b>2. Fanaticism and Aristotelian Excessive Fear of the Divine <i>Mor Segev </i>3. Fanaticism in Ancient Indian Philosophy <i>Nathan McGovern </i>4. Fanaticism in Classical Chinese Philosophy <i>Eirik Harris </i><b>Part 2: Fanaticism in the Early Modern Period </b>5. Superstition, Enthusiasm, and Radical Enlightenment from Hobbes to Hume <i>Justin Steinberg </i>6. Locke on Fanaticism <i>Douglas Casson </i>7. Montesquieu’s Restrained Approach to Fanaticism <i>Vickie Sullivan </i>8. Shaftesbury and Hutcheson: Enthusiasm and Humor <i>Rachel Zuckert </i><b>Part 3: Fanaticism in the Late Modern Period </b>9. Kant on Enthusiasm, Reason, and Misanthropy <i>Krista Thomason </i>10. Germaine de Staël on Passions, Politics, and Fanaticism <i>Kristin Gjesdal </i>11. Fanatical Abstraction: Hegel on the Hazards of Pure Thinking <i>Dean Moyar </i>12. The Need for Certainty <i>Bernard Reginster </i>13. Nietzsche and William James on Scientism as Fanaticism <i>Rachel Cristy </i>14. "Apretados": Jorge Portilla on Value Fanaticism <i>Carlos Sanchez </i><b>Part 4: Contemporary Explorations of Fanaticism </b>15. "Grand, Ungodly, God-Like Man" On the Symptomatology of Fanaticism <i>Nicolas de Warren </i>16. Fanaticism in the Manosphere <i>Mark Alfano and Paul-Mikhail Catapang Podosky </i>17. Fanaticism and Terrorism <i>Quassim Cassam </i>18. Extremist Women and Fanaticism <i>Tracy Llanera </i>19. Fanaticism and Closed-Mindedness <i>Heather Battaly </i>20. Political Fanaticism and Epistemic Shamelessness <i>Sophie Grace Chappell. Index</i></p>