Colloqium #22
03 December 2022
Description
Radical universalism is the end of the epidemic particularism, which has paralyzed left and progressive forces throughout the western societies in the last 40 years. Radical feminists such as Andrea Dworkin and Valerie Solanas exemplify how identity politics as a successful force from `68 until the late 80s and even whilst in terms of literature bordered the absurd. How a radical claim, and be it in satire, can change the world.
The following wave of gender, racist and anti-discrimination discourses of the present are useful for the vast majority. But there is a small but particularly destructive form of particularization which I call toxic wokeness. It produces the evils it tries to eradicate: gender separation, racism, taboos. It’s biggest blind spot is the capitalization of the social sphere.
The resulting split of society is based on a neoliberal logic, which terms the individual cause and solution of societal problems. This logic is based on a vulgar-derridian postmodernism, in which the objective world is at best a play of signs. Feeling is the only solipsistic perspective having power of proof. This leads to a cynical particularism, which is eroding left and progressive forces. The most prominent example is: the fight against the climate catastrophe.
I am clearly distancing myself from simplistic philosophies from the right, who are misusing „wokeness“ as a dog whistle for their agenda. This being Jordan Peterson, or, in Germany Omri Böhm with his new book „Radical Universalim“. I am also distancing myself from the tendency of particularists of labeling everybody not agreeing with their standpoint as racist, sexist or similar.
As a solution I present my research with the climate movement „Letzte Generation“. These radical environmentalism block highways, toss potato soup at famous painings and use civil disobedience in general. Contrary to older protest forms they are radically transparent and are intent on confronting justice in the legal process. They draw on movements like the Freedom Riders or Matrin Luther King. The particularist discourses of gender, ethnicity, even capitalism are only marginally relevant for them. They deal with an objective enough reality and post simple yes/no questions, which can be answered clearly. The closest thing to radical universalism of our time.
Speakers
Kristian Knall: I do not exist. I am a psydonym, Kristjan Knall. My books are unapologetically revolutionary, pseudo-scientific in the worst possible sense and should be brunt entirely. Though not a man of royalty, I am available for an epee duel at dawn.