Fundamentalisms and Fascisms of Our Times

elective seminars

(in Polish) Znajomość języka angielskiego

The aim of the seminar is to analyze the phenomena of fundamentalism and fascism. Both of these concepts are extremely difficult to analyze, which suggests that they do not have, at the definitional level, an essence, i.e. a common core. Nevertheless, both terms are used in different contexts to characterize certain socio-political phenomena, which may imply a certain affinity between them. The research hypothesis underlying these classes is as follows: both fundamentalism and fascism are phenomena coexisting with the process of modern transformation, and thus they are inscribed in the reality that surrounds us, and at the same time pose a constant threat to it. During the seminar, we will examine the available theories of fundamentalism and fascism, and then apply the developed tools to selected examples from the past and the present (e.g. India, USA, Israel, etc.) to test the usefulness of these tools and consider their validity.

The aim of the seminar is to analyze the phenomena of fundamentalism and fascism. Both of these concepts are extremely difficult to analyze, which suggests that they do not have, at the definitional level, an essence, i.e. a common core. Nevertheless, both terms are used in different contexts to characterize certain socio-political phenomena, which may imply a certain affinity between them. The research hypothesis underlying these classes is as follows: both fundamentalism and fascism are phenomena coexisting with the process of modern transformation, and thus they are inscribed in the reality that surrounds us, and at the same time pose a constant threat to it. During the seminar, we will examine the available theories of fundamentalism and fascism, and then apply the developed tools to selected examples from the past and the present (e.g. India, USA, Israel, etc.) to test the usefulness of these tools and consider their validity. In this context, the use of the plural in relation to the phenomenon of fundamentalism or fascism is justified inasmuch as at the starting point we cannot assume the existence of the essence of these phenomena and it is more justified to use the idea of the so-called family resemblances.

Often fundamentalism is defined as a tendency to a literal, literal interpretation of the holy books, the rules of a particular group or ideology. Very often with fundamentalism is associated with a black-and-white vision of reality , within which is negatively evaluated the community that functions outside the perimeter of the group of followers of a particular religion or ideology. The black-and-white vision of reality also applies in relation to the current era - it is assessed negatively. On the other hand, the vision of the past (or future), in which the doctrine or ideology was (or will be) implemented perfectly, is idealized.

Fundamentalism is a modern phenomenon - it is a response to modernization processes - in the case of religion it is a critical response, although in the case of some ideologies it can be enthusiastic. In the case of religion, it is often a response to such phenomena as inter-religious or ecumenical dialogue, which are considered treasonous, or the tendency to align the way religion functions with modern culture.

The phenomenon of fundamentalism can apply to religion, philosophy or ideology. Accusations of fundamentalist tendencies are also sometimes leveled against adherents of certain economic theories.

The theories of fascism, when applied to contemporary rather than merely historical phenomena, evoke strong controversies. Reason for this is that the term is associated with a strong, negative emotions resulting from the specific trauma of the Second World War. Currently, this term in the public space often functions as an accusation and an attempt to stigmatize one of the parties to the dispute. Let us add that the concept of fascism is associated with a kind of inflation of its meaning, which significantly hinders the possibility of precisely defining its distinctive features. Nevertheless, research on fascism provides interesting and important tools for analyzing current social, cultural and political phenomena. From this perspective, however, it is important to distinguish different research perspectives regarding the phenomenon we are interested in. It is therefore possible to study fascism as an ideology, a political regime (totalitarianism), and also, for example, to study the so-called fascist personality. In other words, this research is interdisciplinary, covering such disciplines as political science, sociology, psychology or psychiatry, philosophy, cultural studies, economics, etc. During the course, some of the leading theories of fascism will be reconstructed.

H. Rauschning, „Rewolucja nihilizmu”, przeł. S. Łukomski, Niezależna Oficyna Wydawnicza, Warszawa 1996.

R. Griffin, „The Nature of fascism”, Routledge, 1993.

E. Traverso, „Nowe oblicza faszyzmu”, przeł. Z. Kowalewski, Instytut Wydawniczy Książka i Prasa, Warszawa 2020.

J. Stanley, „How Fascism Works. The Politics of Us and Them”, Random House, 2018.

Karen Armstrong, W imię Boga : fundamentalizm w judaizmie, chrześcijaństwie i islamie, przeł. Joanna Kolczyńska, WAB, Warszawa 2005.

Dominika Motak, Nowoczesność i fundamentalizm : ruchy antymodernistyczne w chrześcijaństwie, Nomos, Kraków 2002.

Gilles Kepel, Zemsta Boga : religijna rekonkwista świata, przeł. Agnieszka Adamczak, Wydawnictwo Krytyki Politycznej, Warszawa 2010.

Bassam Tibi, Fundamentalizm religijny, przeł. Janusz Danecki, PIW, Warszawa 1997.

In terms of knowledge, the student:

- has knowledge of basic issues in the field of the theory of fundamentalism and fascism and knows their genesis and historical development as well as theories critical to them

- knows the most important positions in contemporary disputes in these fields and the argumentation strategies used in them

- knows the basic categories of the discourse of fundamentalism and fascism

- knows the views of philosophers included in the canon of knowledge in the field of fundamentalism and fascism

In terms of skills, the student:

- can indicate and explain the theoretical and normative assumptions of fundamentalism, fascism and their criticism

- can determine the political consequences of normative positions

- analyzes argumentation strategies

- recognizes the relationship between theoretical and practical knowledge

- is able to undertake and lead a discussion on current political problems at the conceptual level

In terms of social competences, the student:

- recognizes the philosophical dimension of political issues and the philosophy of religion

- gains a critical distance to political issues and the philosophy of religion

- shapes an open attitude to the diversity of socio-political views and the philosophy of religion

Additional learning outcomes for doctoral students:

Acquired knowledge:

- to the extent that allows the revision of existing paradigms - world achievements, including theoretical foundations as well as general issues and selected specific issues - appropriate for the disciplines of the theory of fundamentalism and fascism

- fundamental dilemmas of modern civilization from the perspective of the humanities

Acquired skills:

- make a critical analysis and evaluation of the results of scientific research, expert activities and other works of a creative nature and their contribution to the development of knowledge

- participate in scientific discourse within the humanities

Acquired social competences:

- independent and critical assessment of achievements within a given discipline of the humanities

- critically assess their own contribution to the development of a given scientific discipline and conduct discussions, formulate substantive arguments, express their arguments with respect for others, show an attitude of openness to the type of reflection appropriate for various humanities, with respect for different views