Hegel named the Muslim principle ‘religion and terror’

Evidence

The Muslims, Hegel explains, are “dominated by abstraction,” yet this does not mean that they are devoid of emotions or passion. In fact, in … Forgetting-or disagreeing-with Kant’s insistence that the two are not to be confused, Hegel gives this enthusiasm the name of”fanaticism.” It makes the individual into “one passion and that alone.” The individual is, he becomes, in fact, one passion. There is, therefore, only one principle in Islam, one principle that is not one, but double: “La religion et la terreur,” says Hegel in French, religion and terror. Such would be the French name of Muslim enthusiasm, then, and it may therefore be compared not only to the Terror of Robespierre, but to love, in which “an equal abandon,” a total recklessness, and a lack of consideration and concern takes precedence and, indeed, dominates. One is simply riicksichtlos, inconsiderate and unconcerned (359/G432). — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab, 642 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Hegel’s philosophy cast Islam as historically spent and surpassed by the West; Hegel linked Islam’s so-called fanaticism to terror and to love — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab: A History of the…, 643; Hegel characterized Islam as enthusiasm become fanaticism, religion fused with terror — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab: A History of the…, 642

Broader Connections

• Hegel characterized Islam as enthusiasm become fanaticism, religion fused with terror #expands (0.95) — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab, 642