Group fanaticism and narratives of ressentiment
Files
Accepted manuscript
Date
2021-12-01
DOI
Authors
Katsafanas, Paul
Version
Accepted manuscript
OA Version
Citation
P. Katsafanas. 2021. "Group Fanaticism and Narratives of Ressentiment." In The Philosophy of Fanaticism: Epistemic, Affective, and Political Dimensions.. Editors: Townsend, Leo, Schmidt, Hans Bernard, Staudigl, Michael, Tietjen, Ruth. Routledge 01 Dec 2021
Abstract
The current political climate is awash with groups that we might be tempted to label irrational, extremist, hyper-partisan; it is full of echo-chambers, radicalization, and epistemic bubbles. Philosophers have profitably analyzed some of these phenomena. In this essay, I draw attention to a crucial but neglected aspect of our time: the way in which certain groups are fanatical. I distinguish fanatical groups from other types of problematic groups, such as extremist and cultish groups. I argue that a group qualifies as fanatical only if it has features that promote individual fanaticism. But how might a group promote individual fanaticism? I argue that a typical feature of fanatical groups is their tendency to encourage an emotion that philosophers sometimes call “ressentiment,” which differs from ordinary resentment. I explain what ressentiment is, how it can be fostered, and how it can lead to fanaticism. I contend that this account helps us to identify a disturbing and increasingly widespread feature of contemporary social and political groups.