With Bloch against Žižek: Towards a critique of decisionist political theology

Wherever political philosophy deals with the concept of utopia, and thus evokes question by means which categorical vocabulary “non-place” realized emancipation is supposed to be articulated, thought finds itself (re)directed theology as place from it—at least according Carl Schmitt's reading (Schmitt, 1979, p. 49)—once originated. In this sense, many critical philosophies twentieth century are characterized an enormous breadth reception Jewish-Christian traditions their integration into a aiming for social emancipation. From Kabbalistic topoi in Frankfurt school theory (Martins, 2016), Jewish-Messianic postmodern poststructuralist (Derrida, 2006), on debates about rereading Letters Paul works Giorgio Agamben (Agamben, 2005), Alain Badiou (Badiou, 2009), Slavoj Žižek (Žižek, 2001b). All these reactualizations theological heritage rely desire find ways express transcendence utopia under conditions concrete, immanent worldliness. Conceptions epistemological terms “transcendent,” because they are—along lines Kantian definition term—beyond positive, empirical knowledge (Kant, 1968a, 236). The fact that concepts still have relate worldly, immanent, positive categories, hereby marks constitutive contradiction inherent them, whose mediation therefore defines theoretical challenge at hand. it not coincidence themselves constantly redirected German idealism tradition competition reason revelation thinking totality reached its most sophisticated form. On more contemporary proposals regard Žižek's Lacano-Hegelian reactualization Christian heritage, he strongly out against what sees “Jewish” theology. aim paper will fundamental critique project relies both philological arguments. I argue specific leads voluntarist solipsistic decisionism authoritarian tendencies. has already been criticized along similar fault lines. charge “decisionist irrationalism” specifically levelled him (and Badiou) Micha Brumlik (Brumlik, 2013, pp. 244–245.). A formulated Oliver Marchart, calling “form quasi-existentialist adventurism decisionism” (Marchart, 2007, 104), while others pointed solipsism his account subjectivity (Robinson & Tormey, 2005). While substantially agree trajectory existing criticism philosophy, formulate my own context Ernst Bloch, serves countermodel way illustrate the—in opinion—fateful choices makes idealist tradition. does systematically differ ones, but rather supplements them providing derived philosophical juxtaposition Bloch appears uniquely useful dimension respective theologies runs remarkably lines, possible precisely identify nodal points conceptions part ways, shedding light only that, also why devolves irrationalist making case same time. Bloch's insight “only atheist can good atheist.” One should take quite literally: order true atheist, one go through experience death God—of God transcendent Master who steers regulates universe—and resurrection Holy Spirit—in collective those fight xix–xx) As we see, here attempts parallelize two approaches exactly point, where—upon closer scrutiny—they must appear irreconcilable. notion Blochian Žižekian “atheism” essentially mean thing, upheld neglecting thorough investigation roots negativity. show refers passage quoted dialectical immanence (atheism Christianity), model comes down radical immanentization divine transcendence. misunderstanding lies equating approaches. What little exists research matter either follows parallelization than himself hints (Thompson, 2019, 295–301; Stolze, 207–208) or (whether whole part) unproblematically compatible (Boucher, 2020; Hempel, 2019; Thompson, 2012; 2009, 10–11). any case, irreconcilably different negativity diametrically opposed readings Jewish embrace, respectively, large conceptually ignored. However, could if there were substantial similarities between conceptions. Both dialectically versed thinkers steeped idealism. interested articulating base revolutionary emancipatory politics. And rest strikingly sources. Their exegesis develops interpretations core mosaic monotheism, see myth job passion Christ climactic regard. radically conclusions arrive turn traced back late Schelling's theologico-ontological considerations “Freiheitsschrift” (“Philosophical Investigations Essence Human Freedom”) “world ages” fragments assessments role Søren Kierkegaard's Kierkegaard and, even so, Schelling crucial embodiment intellectual junction linking left Hegelianism subsequently Marxism, existentialism, predecessors. referred intersection “line salvation” (“Heilslinie”) perdition” (“Unheilslinie”) (Bloch, 1985a, 355–359). According depending one's Schelling, specifically, ages,” arrives via young Hegelians, Feuerbach, eventually Marx (“line salvation”), proceeds directly Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger perdition”). takes Marx, taking up Hegelian panlogism discarding prioritization nonbeing unmediated solipsism, managing mediate theology, Žižek, affirming said “void” absolute collapsing Judeo-Christian pure immanence, Kierkegaardian conception leading solipsist decisionism. develop argument six sections, three pertaining each author. begin description subsequent Sections 1–3, further elucidated 4–6 confrontation Bible. first section describe relevance ontological premises. second how canon, Exodus 3,14, book Job Christ, lens aforementioned premises, third politicizes recourse Kierkegaard. Section 5, briefly outline contours premises relation Marxist tradition, followed discussion 6. last deal contrast interpretation. key inform Friedrich Schelling. This due special position occupies interesting Žižek. unifies elements become prevalent all forms post-Hegelian thought. By formulating concise system panlogism, questioning abstract contrasting counterprinciple human freedom, adhering requirements tried creatively demands universality “indivisible remainder” (Schelling, 1975, 54) merge panlogic systems. this, seen early precursor materialism well existentialism insistence “existence” all-devouring force essentialist “systems” It Engels attended Berlin lectures (Frank, 1993, 9). share point history 358–359; 2006a, 4; 8–9). world lies, so speak, nets understanding reason, got since obviously something other mere world, indeed strives beyond barriers. 1994, 147) Therefore, abstractly negating systematic recognizes logos necessarily itself. Primarily “Freiheitsschrift,” detail fragments, ontologically reintegrate despite aspires systematicity. He freedom ontologically, connecting split god spirit, calls “nature god” 53), groundless ground irrational drives. primordial “Ungrund [Non-Ground]” 97–101) a-logical prelogical drives, Schopenhauerian “Wille,” remainder”: That always resists subsumption logos, “rest” remains after endeavor 54). prevents absolute, totality, coinciding itself, becomes paradigm investigation. maneuver taken albeit perspectives. far being nihil privativum, ‘nothing’ precedes Ground stands ‘absolute indifference’ qua abyss Freedom yet predicate-property some Subject but, rather, designates impersonal Willing [Wollen], wills nothing. 14) explicit reference “nihil privativum,” “nothingness” understood lack something, conception: nothingness conceived potential glaring void. Here accomplish “another screw” transpose subject (his inability comply fully big Other's ethical injunction) Other itself: emphasizes, Absolute Existence impenetrable Existence, Himself, unheard-of way, seems resist full actualization Ideal — displacement course, delivers us guilt. 98) instead hidden terrifying secret, encounter thing behind veil front it, very difference confronts “pure” separates element ultimate divinity—God, too, wear mask himself? Perhaps “God” name supreme noumenal Thing appearance same, purely formal. precise names contradiction: God—the unrepresentable Beyond—has such. 2006b, 109) terms: “Ungrund,” quasi-Schopenhauerian drives himself. manages incorporate Ungrund triumphs primary principle, pushes further, resulting keeps form intact, voids thoroughly traces substantialism make virtual identical nihilism. Based paradigms, examination legacy echoes standard meaning monotheism development enlightenment metaphysics utopian aspirations 2001a, 129). Ranging rationalist Maimonides, over Mendelson enlightenment, until Neo-Kantianism foremost representative Hermann Cohen, perspective prefiguring principle enlightened universalism referring idea God, wholly cleared anthropomorphism, whom no pictures made. etherealization breaks animism anthropomorphism prepares abstraction, constitutes “ethical monotheism” (Kepnes, Chapter 7). Judaism developed discussions Kant contemporaries Kant's Judaism, focus lawful obedience, “religion reason” 1977, 789–792). furthermore formed backbone Neo-Kantian (Cohen, 1995) resonates where informs Adorno's Horkheimer's famous prohibition images, lest facticity “wrong whole,” identified (Horkheimer Adorno, 2006, 186). reading, expressions Levinas’ ethics “infinity” Derrida's messianic justice “indeconstructible,” identifying modernist-theological postmodernism 2003, 138–141; 113–114) postulating metaphysical encompassing thought, deconstructive 2016, 39). idolatry [which] purifying Other, place, Otherness Messianic Promise. 139) To put directly: pagans NOT celebrating aware images remained inadequate copies Divinity […]. pagans, was Jews believed/assumed (sensual/material) image Person would too much, rendering visible horrifying secret better shadow, WHICH IS WHY THEY HAD TO PROHIBIT IT—the sense background fear reveal shattering, unbearable TRUE ADEQUATE. 132) religion generates excess prohibit? JEWISH FIRST “personalized” says “I am am.” 130) original Hebrew, reads: ???? ??? which—depending translation consults—is translated am” (King James Bible unified translation), be” (Lutherbible). monotheism,” prefigure ethics, postulate substantialist self-identity. suddenly understood, him, actually trial Job's calamities, failed test miserably. 127) prefigured 124). Christs exclamation cross, “Oh father, hast thou forsaken me?,” literally. confronted almighty enigmatic deity, workings cannot possibly understand without answers suffering (while premise do exist holds), story sublation higher redemption, moral consists Christ. Since function obscene superego supplement (divine) Law impotence Christianity reveals impotence, is, logically, only) leave official/public text initiatory supplement: hidden, untold it. Revelation: everything revealed accompanies public message.” confused kind negative intention gesture transcendentalization constituted “deus absconditus.” shield ontico-empirical, draw brutally kill process. strictly correlative openness reality, our relating reality unfinished, “in becoming.” measure contingency reality—as such, Substance, Supreme […] “beyond Being,” nothing mode him; say, relating. 79) puzzle gods identity nonidentity conceiving relation. nonexistence literally “is” him. consideration interpretation “leap.” If if, furthermore, conscious reflection relationship needs categorically cross qualities immediacy relationality, then coincide decision enter relationship. For “leap belief” sort Fichtean fact-act (“Tathandlung”) creates negates symbolic universe actions embedded, “No” 80–81). But devoid negation subject's environment affirmation collapse single act: noncompliance rejection. towards everything, refusing signification whatsoever. “leap” existentialist “decision.” Sygne did sake her act inscribed sacrificial economy, calculating strategy. words, particular content “No such,” form-of-No content, 83) Sygne's separating herself Symbolic repeats entry Symbolic. crucial, however, confound zero-level prohibition, formal grounds […]: negation, feminine refusal/withdrawal reduced paternal order. Even level, clear: formal, contrary, embodied piece Real, excremental remainder disgusting “pathological” tic sticks “No”’s like X sides Moebius strip: form, empty excessive lacks “proper” place. There are, speak “No's” dealing with. nihilist abstention, rejection universe, erection new one. decisionist act. Although differentiate kinds another, analogy strip clear nihilism “no” (quite literally) flipside existential reintroduction it: three-dimensional surface side, moving surface, connect given point. Thus, implicit real hard work awaits morning after, once enthusiastic explosion over, task translating Order Things, drawing consequences remaining faithful 135) much one, “non” vis-a-vis universe: An “Decision” introduction order, aggrandized legitimated established. voluntarism tilt politics, normative constraints praxis effectively abolished account. subject, established direct neither normatively constrained (since virtually it), nor subjects feature subjectivity, modeled individual believer god).11 context, Andrew Robinson Simon Tormey examples politically transformative almost exclusively framed “isolated acts individuals Russian Revolution set Lenin, Stalin bureaucrats” 2005, 102). Radical collapses opposite: positivity, becoming (the believer) horizon present moment, sanctifying transcending “decision,” Adorno “decision” anyway (Adorno, 2017, 47). explicitly community believers inheriting 138) contradict subjectivity. nature based intersubjective processes politicization addition fundamentally individuated “fidelity Cause” 130). “community” best confessing monads. “Enjoy your Symptom!.” gap value rejected favor immanentization, logic applied leadership politicizing Such assertion authority opposite Enlightenment render truth independent authority: arrived procedure questions pro et contra proposition irrespective pertains enunciation Marxism psychoanalysis, refer founders (Marx, Freud). structure inherently “authoritarian”: Freud opened field sets criteria veracity, words allowed statements followers. 1992, 99–100) turns latter day apostles, defined (which imply undue truth) standards apostles themselves. implies “law jungle”: ideas when all-powerful true. Truth indistinguishable terror. apparently alien considering Jacobinist terror “divine violence” 2008, 162). following, politico-theological ones developed, largely At glance, central might materialist dedicated bridging object, spirit matter, utopia: (yet), basic contradictions reconciled speaks tendency articulated culture, finding expression art, architecture, religion, philosophy. vague “darkness lived moment” —Bloch's term need ostensible moment (EBW 334–335)22 Unless otherwise indicated, references collected (1985b) as: EBW 1–16. quotes appear, English translations used available indicated alongside Werkausgabe,