Authored books by Paolo Diego Bubbio
Routledge, 2024
The book explores the philosophical resources provided by Hegel and Heidegger to grasp the nature... more The book explores the philosophical resources provided by Hegel and Heidegger to grasp the nature of the “I” and combines those resources in a theoretical analysis of “I-hood” in its connection with nature and history, experience and myth.
The “I” has a fleeting, almost elusive character in the philosophies of Hegel and Heidegger. Yet, both philosophers strive to make sense of what it means to be an “I”. Their respective theories, though seemingly divergent, offer remarkable insights into the nature of the “I” and its relationship to the world. Through meticulous examination, this book explores the parallel journeys of Hegel and Heidegger, tracing their respective paths towards a comprehensive conception of identity beyond the subject/object dichotomy. Moreover, this study goes beyond being an exploration of Hegel’s and Heidegger’s conceptions of the self by actively employing their insights to chart a path towards a novel understanding of “I-hood”.
Hegel, Heidegger, and the Quest for the “I” will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working on Hegel, Heidegger, history of European philosophy, and contemporary theories of subjectivity and personal identity. Offering a fresh perspective on the work of these two seminal thinkers, the book contributes to the ongoing dialogue on the nature of the self and its place in the world.
Intellectual Sacrifice and Other Mimetic Paradoxes is an account of Paolo Diego Bubbio’s twenty-y... more Intellectual Sacrifice and Other Mimetic Paradoxes is an account of Paolo Diego Bubbio’s twenty-year intellectual journey through the twists and turns of Girard’s mimetic theory. The author analyzes philosophy and religion as “enemy sisters” engaged in an endless competitive struggle and identifies the intellectual space where this rivalry can either be perpetuated or come to a paradoxical resolution. He goes on to explore topics ranging from arguments for the existence of God to mimetic theory’s post-Kantian legacy, political implications, and capacity for identifying epochal phenomena, such as the crisis of the self, in popular culture. Bubbio concludes by advocating for an encounter between mimetic theory and contemporary philosophical hermeneutics—an encounter in which each approach benefits and is enriched by the resources of the other. The volume features a previously unpublished letter by René Girard on the relationship between philosophy and religion.
God and the Self in Hegel proposes a reconstruction of Hegel’s conception of God and analyzes the... more God and the Self in Hegel proposes a reconstruction of Hegel’s conception of God and analyzes the significance of this reading for Hegel’s idealistic metaphysics. Paolo Diego Bubbio argues that in Hegel’s view, subjectivism—the tenet that there is no underlying “true” reality that exists independently of the activity of the cognitive agent—can be avoided, and content can be restored to religion, only to the extent that God is understood in God’s relation to human beings, and human beings are understood in their relation to God. Focusing on traditional problems in theology and the philosophy of religion, such as the ontological argument for the existence of God, the Trinity, and the “death of God,” Bubbio shows the relevance of Hegel’s view of religion and God for his broader philosophical strategy. In this account, as a response to the fundamental Kantian challenge of how to conceive the mind-world relation without setting mind over and against the world, Hegel has found a way of overcoming subjectivism in both philosophy and religion.
Edited books by Paolo Diego Bubbio
This volume explores the relationship between justice and freedom in Hegel’s practical philosophy... more This volume explores the relationship between justice and freedom in Hegel’s practical philosophy, with a particular focus on the pivotal concept of reciprocal recognition. The contributors analyze the intersubjective relations between individuals and institutions through the lens of Hegel and demonstrate how his account of justice and freedom can be applied to address pressing issues in political philosophy.
Despite extensive scrutiny of the concept of justice by political philosophers, Hegel’s unique account has been notably overlooked. What sets Hegel apart is his emphasis on the inseparable link between justice and freedom. Freedom is inextricably tied to an account of just social relations and institutions, while justice itself is intertwined with a robust endorsement of freedom. The chapters comprising this volume examine three crucial dimensions of Hegel’s framework for freedom and justice. First, the contributors address how Hegel’s distinctive integration of freedom and justice sheds new light on the nature of his practical philosophy. Second, they relate Hegel’s theory to other prominent accounts of justice, including Rawlsian forms of Kantian constructivism, Habermas’ neo‑Kantian discourse theory, republican views, neo‑Aristotelian accounts, and critical theory approaches. Finally, the contributors apply Hegel’s reconstructed theory of justice to ongoing debates encompassing criminal justice, distributive justice, global justice, environmental justice, and issues related to racial and gender justice, as well as populism.
Do we really need philosophy? The present collection of jargon-free essays aims at answering the ... more Do we really need philosophy? The present collection of jargon-free essays aims at answering the question of why philosophy matters. Each essay considers the central question (Why Philosophy?) from different angles: the unavoidability of doing philosophy, the practical consequences of philosophy, philosophy as a therapy for the whole person, the benefits of philosophy for improving public policy, etc.
Mimetic Theory and Film, 2019
The interdisciplinary French-American thinker René Girard (1923-2015) has been one of the towerin... more The interdisciplinary French-American thinker René Girard (1923-2015) has been one of the towering figures of the humanities in the last half-century. The title of René Girard's first book offered his own thesis in summary form: romantic lie and novelistic truth [mensonge romantique et vérité romanesque]. And yet, for a thinker whose career began by an engagement with literature, it came as a shock to some that, in La Conversion de l'art, Girard asserted that the novel may be an “outmoded” form for revealing humans to themselves. However, Girard never specified what, if anything, might take the place of the novel. This collection of essays is one attempt at answering this question, by offering a series of analyses of films that aims to test mimetic theory in an area in which relatively little has so far been offered. Does it make any sense to talk of vérité filmique?
In addition, Mimetic Theory and Film is a response to the widespread objection that there is no viable “Girardian aesthetics.” One of the main questions that this collection considers is: can we develop a genre-specific mimetic analysis (of film), and are we able to develop anything approaching a “Girardian aesthetic”? Each of the contributors addresses these questions through the analysis of a film.
After a period of neglect, the idealist and romantic philosophies that emerged in the wake of Kan... more After a period of neglect, the idealist and romantic philosophies that emerged in the wake of Kant’s revolutionary writings have once more become important foci of philosophical interest, especially in relation to the question of the role of religion in human life. By developing and reinterpreting basic Kantian ideas, an array of thinkers including Schelling, Hegel, Friedrich Schlegel, Hölderlin and Novalis transformed the conceptual framework within which the nature of religion could be considered. Furthermore, in doing so they significantly shaped the philosophical perspectives from within which later thinkers such as Feuerbach, Kierkegaard, Wagner and Nietzsche could re-pose the question of religion. This volume explores the spaces opened during this extended period of post-Kantian thinking for a reconsideration of the place of religion within the project of human self-fashioning.
'The Relationship of Philosophy to Religion Today' is a collection of texts authored by philosoph... more 'The Relationship of Philosophy to Religion Today' is a collection of texts authored by philosophers with an interest in contemporary philosophy of religion, its merits and its limitations. The collection has been stimulated by such questions as: "What ought philosophy of religion be?" and "How ought philosophy relate to religion today?" In pursuing such questions, the editors have asked the contributors to offer their insights and reflections on issues that they see as important to contemporary philosophy of religion, with the goal of producing a collection of texts offering the reader with a variety of perspectives without privileging any particular philosophical, religious or irreligious orientation. The book covers such themes as the relationship between religion and modernity, faith in keeping with reason, contemplation, the merits and limitations of the atheism, and the relationship between philosophy, religion and politics.
Papers by Paolo Diego Bubbio
Sophia, 2024
The article delves into two closely intertwined notions that have increasingly taken centre stage... more The article delves into two closely intertwined notions that have increasingly taken centre stage in Gianni Vattimo’s thought since the mid-eighties: secularisation and kenosis. The significance of these themes in Vattimo’s late work is such that, it is argued, it amounts to an actual Kehre, or turn. However, akin to Heidegger, Vattimo’s Kehre is not a radical break but a shift in research and reflection towards themes that, although already present in his philosophy, have assumed more distinctly religious nuances and have progressively developed up to the point where they have formed an organic perspective. The article traces this development, commencing with the notion of secularisation to then explore its interweaving with themes of emancipation and the violence of metaphysics. It concludes with a reflection on the central role of kenosis and its significance in Vattimo’s thought.
in P.D. Bubbio and A. Buchwalter (Eds.), 'Justice and Freedom in Hegel (Routledge: 2024)
Hegel’s account of justice is rooted in a conception of identity as intersubjectively constituted... more Hegel’s account of justice is rooted in a conception of identity as intersubjectively constituted. This aspect lends Hegel’s theory of justice a unique suitability to address dimensions of political life often overlooked by dominant paradigms in political philosophy, such as Kantian constructivism. In light of this, the chapter explores how Hegel’s logic of justice is manifested in his conception of property, particularly in its connection to the fundamental dynamic of alienation (Entäußerung) and in Hegel’s analysis of the notion of Vermögen (capacity/resource). The chapter then considers Hegel’s analysis of the phenomenon of the “rabble” (Pöbel), arguing that it can be seen as a prototypical instance of systemic injustice. Hegel’s analysis, it is argued, offers a fruitful lens for approaching the surge of populism witnessed in the past decade. In the concluding section, the chapter explores the interplay between individual agency and external resources. It contends that actively engaging with historical memories and embracing a transformative process serves as a crucial catalyst for the necessary changes to overcome systemic injustice and fully realize freedom in true personhood.
Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, May 30, 2024
The paper investigates the connection between Hegel’s notion of kenosis and his account of justic... more The paper investigates the connection between Hegel’s notion of kenosis and his account of justice, exploring the relevance of this connection in assessing Hegel’s political theology and its lasting influence. The inquiry approaches the kenotic aspect of Hegel’s thought by focusing on the notion of Entäußerung as externalization, aiming to highlight its active aspect. The paper argues that within the dialectical mediation between interiorization and externalization, Hegel’s conception of justice is functionally structured as a form of Entäußerung. It surveys some of the most notable responses offered in recent decades to the question whether Hegel can contribute to the dismantling of inequality and the affirmation of justice. Subsequently, it argues that an interpretation of justice that takes into consideration the dual movement of interiorization and externalisation enables the recollection transformation of memories of struggles in the pursuit of justice. Lastly, the paper explores the advantages that interpreting justice as Entäußerung offers in terms of social change and progress compared to alternative perspectives, and suggests that such an interpretation can make a meaningful contribution to a new political theology of the oppressed.
In "Myths of Origins as Patterns of Literary Creation", edited by Emilia di Rocco and Chiara Lombardi, Brill, 2024
The chapter delves into the concept of origin myths and their significance within the philosophie... more The chapter delves into the concept of origin myths and their significance within the philosophies of Hegel and Heidegger. It contends that the conceptions of myths, particularly those pertaining to origins, by Hegel and Heidegger are considerably more intricate and nuanced than commonly acknowledged. Throughout the analysis, the chapter demonstrates that for both Hegel and Heidegger, the crux of their understanding of origins myths resolves between the interplay between nature and (spiritual) history. Ultimately, the chapter argues that, in their exploration of origin myths, Hegel and Heidegger traverse distinct yet complementary paths; they view myth, which they both regard as encompassing the nexus of nature and history, as a fundamental expression of the experience of what it means to be an I.
The Southern Journal of Philosophy, Feb 27, 2024
This article explores Hegel's conception of experience, positing it as the entry point for graspi... more This article explores Hegel's conception of experience, positing it as the entry point for grasping the implications of the philosophy of nature. The article briefly examines Hegel's view of nature, focusing on its transformative journey from externality to integration with the conscious I. Subsequently, the purpose of Hegel's philosophy of nature is discussed, and recent interpretations are compared. The article unfolds the notion of experience as a bridge between the subjective dimension explored in the Phenomenology of Spirit and the understanding of reality presented in the Encyclopedia. Experience, considered in its threefold meaning of unveiling, actively interpreting, and generating rationality within nature, dynamically shapes both the self-conscious subject and the natural world across logic, nature, and spirit. Finally, the article highlights experience as mediating both the epistemological and the metaphysical relationship between nature and spirit. The article concludes by arguing that the transformative power of experience plays a central role in overcoming the separation between spirit and nature, fostering a mediated unity between the human subject and the natural world.
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Authored books by Paolo Diego Bubbio
The “I” has a fleeting, almost elusive character in the philosophies of Hegel and Heidegger. Yet, both philosophers strive to make sense of what it means to be an “I”. Their respective theories, though seemingly divergent, offer remarkable insights into the nature of the “I” and its relationship to the world. Through meticulous examination, this book explores the parallel journeys of Hegel and Heidegger, tracing their respective paths towards a comprehensive conception of identity beyond the subject/object dichotomy. Moreover, this study goes beyond being an exploration of Hegel’s and Heidegger’s conceptions of the self by actively employing their insights to chart a path towards a novel understanding of “I-hood”.
Hegel, Heidegger, and the Quest for the “I” will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working on Hegel, Heidegger, history of European philosophy, and contemporary theories of subjectivity and personal identity. Offering a fresh perspective on the work of these two seminal thinkers, the book contributes to the ongoing dialogue on the nature of the self and its place in the world.
http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/15691640-12341321
Edited books by Paolo Diego Bubbio
Despite extensive scrutiny of the concept of justice by political philosophers, Hegel’s unique account has been notably overlooked. What sets Hegel apart is his emphasis on the inseparable link between justice and freedom. Freedom is inextricably tied to an account of just social relations and institutions, while justice itself is intertwined with a robust endorsement of freedom. The chapters comprising this volume examine three crucial dimensions of Hegel’s framework for freedom and justice. First, the contributors address how Hegel’s distinctive integration of freedom and justice sheds new light on the nature of his practical philosophy. Second, they relate Hegel’s theory to other prominent accounts of justice, including Rawlsian forms of Kantian constructivism, Habermas’ neo‑Kantian discourse theory, republican views, neo‑Aristotelian accounts, and critical theory approaches. Finally, the contributors apply Hegel’s reconstructed theory of justice to ongoing debates encompassing criminal justice, distributive justice, global justice, environmental justice, and issues related to racial and gender justice, as well as populism.
In addition, Mimetic Theory and Film is a response to the widespread objection that there is no viable “Girardian aesthetics.” One of the main questions that this collection considers is: can we develop a genre-specific mimetic analysis (of film), and are we able to develop anything approaching a “Girardian aesthetic”? Each of the contributors addresses these questions through the analysis of a film.
See also Peter Carravetta's Review in Parrhesia 12 (2010): http://parrhesiajournal.org/parrhesia12/parrhesia12_carravetta.pdf
Papers by Paolo Diego Bubbio
The “I” has a fleeting, almost elusive character in the philosophies of Hegel and Heidegger. Yet, both philosophers strive to make sense of what it means to be an “I”. Their respective theories, though seemingly divergent, offer remarkable insights into the nature of the “I” and its relationship to the world. Through meticulous examination, this book explores the parallel journeys of Hegel and Heidegger, tracing their respective paths towards a comprehensive conception of identity beyond the subject/object dichotomy. Moreover, this study goes beyond being an exploration of Hegel’s and Heidegger’s conceptions of the self by actively employing their insights to chart a path towards a novel understanding of “I-hood”.
Hegel, Heidegger, and the Quest for the “I” will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working on Hegel, Heidegger, history of European philosophy, and contemporary theories of subjectivity and personal identity. Offering a fresh perspective on the work of these two seminal thinkers, the book contributes to the ongoing dialogue on the nature of the self and its place in the world.
http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/15691640-12341321
Despite extensive scrutiny of the concept of justice by political philosophers, Hegel’s unique account has been notably overlooked. What sets Hegel apart is his emphasis on the inseparable link between justice and freedom. Freedom is inextricably tied to an account of just social relations and institutions, while justice itself is intertwined with a robust endorsement of freedom. The chapters comprising this volume examine three crucial dimensions of Hegel’s framework for freedom and justice. First, the contributors address how Hegel’s distinctive integration of freedom and justice sheds new light on the nature of his practical philosophy. Second, they relate Hegel’s theory to other prominent accounts of justice, including Rawlsian forms of Kantian constructivism, Habermas’ neo‑Kantian discourse theory, republican views, neo‑Aristotelian accounts, and critical theory approaches. Finally, the contributors apply Hegel’s reconstructed theory of justice to ongoing debates encompassing criminal justice, distributive justice, global justice, environmental justice, and issues related to racial and gender justice, as well as populism.
In addition, Mimetic Theory and Film is a response to the widespread objection that there is no viable “Girardian aesthetics.” One of the main questions that this collection considers is: can we develop a genre-specific mimetic analysis (of film), and are we able to develop anything approaching a “Girardian aesthetic”? Each of the contributors addresses these questions through the analysis of a film.
See also Peter Carravetta's Review in Parrhesia 12 (2010): http://parrhesiajournal.org/parrhesia12/parrhesia12_carravetta.pdf
Cartesian philosophy led to a conception of the ‘I’ marked with subjectivism. I argue that Pareyson captures the attempts made by Hegel to overcome a subjectivist account of the self. In the first section, I therefore consider Pareyson’s interpretation of Hegel, paying attention to the notion of the self. In the second section, I focus on Pareyson’s interpretation of Heidegger, arguing that Pareyson considered Heidegger as being similarly concerned with the subjectivism of the ‘I’, but was also critical of the ‘solitary self’ emerging from Heidegger’s analysis of Dasein. Finally, in the conclusion, I contend that Pareyson developed a mode of philosophizing about the ‘I’ that goes beyond the traditional notion of subjectivity, avoids the regression of Heidegger’s analysis of Dasein into a solitary self, and eventually contributes to a richer understanding of the self.
Firstly I argue that the non-rational dimension the employment of the notion of sacrifice is connected with can be either over-rational, as it happens in Kierkegaard, or pre-rational, as it happens in Nietzsche. In the first case, the non-rational dimension is presented as transcendence; in the second case, it is presented as life.
Secondly, I argue that the reference to this non-rational dimension, which is implied in the use of the notion of sacrifice, is strictly connected with the problem of justice and with the notion of political responsibility .
Finally, I briefly examine the different strategies adopted by the thinkers mentioned above in dealing with the notion of sacrifice. The first strategy is the “reduction to concept”, that is, the attempt to express the non-rational dimension of sacrifice in rational terms (Solger). The second strategy is the “expulsion of concept”, that is, the attempt to give expression to the non-rational dimension of sacrifice without the recourse to rational instruments (Bataille). The third strategy is that adopted by Hegel, and can be referred to as “the strategy of recognition”. In fact, recognition is sacrifice of the absoluteness of one’s self, and the Aufhebung of sacrifice is its recognition. I conclude that the Hegelian account allows sacrifice to be considered as a regulative notion, which turns out to be very useful for dealing with political, ethical and religious conflicts.
I first address the problem of subjectivism by considering Hegel’s thought against the background of modern philosophy. I argue that the recognitive structure of Hegel’s idealism led him to give the Trinity a decisive role in his philosophical account. Next, I discuss the Trinity by analysing the three divine persons. This analysis paves the way for the conclusion, where I argue that the Trinity represents a model for re-thinking the I in a way that overcomes a “naïve realist” and a “subjective” account of the self. I suggest that Hegel’s absolute idealism can be conceived as an approach to the I that considers the role of acts of mutual recognition for the genesis of self-conscious thought, and that the Trinity is the Darstellung of the relational and recognitive structure of the I.