Political Listening; Walter Benjamin and the Critique of Violence

An essay and an event this week!

Dear all,

I’ve been sending out a bunch of emails this week to possible speakers for the autumn/fall series of digital events. As always, I am super excited by the mind-boggling number of great topics and speakers to choose from. Philosophy feels especially exciting and vibrant at the moment! Inevitably, reading philosophy “for fun” is something I don’t have much time for these days, but I thought this essay on “What’s the use of metaphysics?” by Helen De Cruz was an especially compelling read. I am delighted to say that Helen has written an essay that will be published in our autumn print issue. More on that in a month or two…

For those of you who thought the events were over until September, they certainly should have been but we had to cancel the final event in the “Century of Violence” series, featuring James Martel discussing Walter Benjamin. It has been rearranged for this Thursday (at the usual time). More details on this, as well as the weekly “Sunday read” below.

Your Sunday Read
“Deep Listening and Democracy” by Eva Meijer. I was especially happy to publish this essay as Eva is one of my absolute favourite philosophers. As both an artist and a philosopher, she is one of the most sensitive, creative, and unusual thinkers I know. This essay looks to thinkers like Iris Marion Young, Susan Bickford, Pauline Oliveros, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty to ask what it may look like if political philosophy shifted its attention from political speaking to political listening. Eva then goes on to ask what it may be like to listen not only to our fellow humans, but to non-human animals and the natural world. As Eva concludes, “listening cannot be forced, but making an explicit space for it in political life and recognising its importance can make new relationships possible. In the unknown there is always the possibility of something new. In any case, better listening will make political discussions more difficult, beautiful, and rich.” You can read Eva’s essay here.

Thursday Event: 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm UK
“Walter Benjamin and the Critique of Violence”: Brad Evans really outdid himself with his “Century of Violence” series and this conversation with James Martel on Walter Benjamin’s seminal essay, “Critique of Violence”, will no doubt be another great discussion. The event will assess the relevance of Benjamin’s Critique today, explore the distinction Benjamin draws between mythical and divine violence, and consider how Benjamin’s essay can help us address the vexed problem of fascism in our times. You can register for the event here.

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Wishing you all a lovely Sunday, wherever you are.

Anthony Morgan
Editor