Fanaticism and the History of Philosophy (Rewriting the History of Philosophy)

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. "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. Organised 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"-- Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Notes on Contributors 1 An Introduction to the Philosophy of Fanaticism Part 1: Fanaticism in Antiquity 2 Fanaticism and Aristotelian Excessive Fear of the Divine 3 Fanaticism in Ancient Indian Philosophy 4 Fanaticism in Classical Chinese Philosophy Part 2: Fanaticism in the Early Modern Period 5 Superstition, Enthusiasm, and Radical Enlightenment from Hobbes to Hume 6 Locke on Fanaticism 7 Montesquieu’s Restrained Approach to Fanaticism 8 Shaftesbury and Hutcheson: Enthusiasm and Humor Part 3: Fanaticism in the Late Modern Period 9 Kant on Enthusiasm, Reason, and Misanthropy 10 Germaine de Staël on Passions, Politics, and Fanaticism 11 Fanatical Abstraction: Hegel on the Hazards of Pure Thinking 12 The Need for Certainty 13 Nietzsche and William James on Scientism as Fanaticism 14 “Apretados”: Jorge Portilla on Value Fanaticism Part 4: Contemporary Explorations of Fanaticism 15 “Grand, Ungodly, God-Like Man”: The Symptomatology of Fanaticism 16 Fanaticism in the Manosphere 17 Fanaticism and Terrorism 18 Extremist Women and Fanaticism 19 Fanaticism and Closed-Mindedness 20 Political Fanaticism and Epistemic Shamelessness Index