New Books in Critical Theory Dag Nikolaus Hasse, "What Is European? On Overcoming Colonial and Romantic Modes of Thought" (Amsterdam UP, 2025)
Nov 11, 2025
Dag Nikolaus Hasse, a philosophy professor at the University of Würzburg, challenges traditional European narratives in his new book. He critiques colonial and Romantic modes of thought that distort Europe's essence, advocating for a more inclusive view that recognizes the continent's diverse cultural heritage. Hasse emphasizes the need to rethink emotional attachments to Europe and highlights the significance of medieval cities like Cordoba and Constantinople as cultural hubs. He argues for a decolonized Europe that respects various philosophical traditions, moving beyond elitist definitions.
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Replace Cultural Myths With Geography
- Two dominant cultural concepts shape modern talk of Europe: a colonial Enlightenment narrative and a Romantic fusion of Greece and Christianity.
- Hasse argues we should replace them with a sober geographical, bottom-up concept of the continent.
Avicenna And Isfahan As Intellectual Centers
- Hasse recalls working on Avicenna and visiting Isfahan to illustrate non-European intellectual centers.
- He uses Avicenna as an example of major thinkers who lived outside classical 'European' soil.
Enlightenment Isn't Solely European
- The Enlightenment had distinct European features but critical thinking appears across many cultures historically.
- Hasse warns against claiming universal ownership of 'reason' and urges precise, contextual definitions of Enlightenment achievements.
