#761 Paul Katsafanas - Philosophy of Devotion: The Longing for Invulnerable Ideals
RECORDED ON MARCH 22nd 2023.
Dr. Paul Katsafanas is Professor of Philosophy and Director of Graduate Studies at Boston University. He works on ethics, moral psychology, and nineteenth-century philosophy. His latest book is Philosophy of Devotion: The Longing for Invulnerable Ideals.
This is our second interview. You can watch the first one here: https://youtu.be/o7LxgsSZbZk
In this episode, we focus on Philosophy of Devotion. We start by discussing what devotion is. We talk about the psychological features of sacred values; psychological strategies for treating commitments and fixed and immutable; and the connection between sacred values and devotion. We discuss a connection between devotion and nihilism, and we get into different accounts of fanaticism. Finally, we talk about how we can hold sacred values and avoid fanaticism, through irony, affirmation, and the “deepening move”.
Time Links:
Intro
What is devotion?
The psychological features of sacred values
Can sacred values be rational?
Psychological strategies for treating commitments as fixed and immutable
The connection between sacred values and devotion
Can devotion be rational?
Devotion and nihilism
An Enlightenment account of fanaticism, and a new account of it
Ressentiment and fanaticism
Holding sacred values and avoiding fanaticism: irony, affirmation, and the “deepening move”
Developing existential flexibility
Follow Dr. Katsafanas’ work!
Follow Dr. Katsafanas’ work:
Faculty page: http://bit.ly/2MW2U96
Personal Website: http://bit.ly/2OTilS5
PhilPeople profile: https://bit.ly/3Zyv7Wi
Philosophy of Devotion: https://bit.ly/3QFH8VX
Books: https://amzn.to/2KFm0gT