Paul Katsafanas, "Philosophy of Devotion: The Longing for Invulnerable Ideals" (Oxford UP, 2022)

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Feb 13, 2024

In this podcast, Paul Katsafanas discusses his book 'Philosophy of Devotion' which explores the concept of devotion to sacred ideas. He examines the reasons why certain commitments resist reason and critical reflection, and how devotion can lead to both fulfillment and harm. Katsafanas delves into the power of deep commitment in personal relationships and social causes, while also addressing the negative consequences of fanaticism driven by feelings of persecution and ressentiment. The podcast also explores the influence of sacred values on behavior, the concept of ressentiment mode, and the damaging effects of political discourse based on resentment and fragility.

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INSIGHT

Longing for Devotion

Humans crave ideals and causes to devote themselves to, finding purpose and meaning in commitment.
This longing for invulnerable ideals drives us to seek commitments resistant to doubt and critical reflection.

INSIGHT

Sacred vs. Ordinary Values

Sacred values are inviolable (not tradable), incontestable (resistant to hypothetical violation), and dialectically invulnerable (immune to rational challenge).
These values differ from ordinary values, which are easily traded and subject to reason.

ANECDOTE

Examples of Devotion

Sports fanaticism exemplifies dialectical invulnerability, with fans remaining loyal despite poor team performance.
Gun rights for some are a sacred value, demonstrating how commitments can persist despite awareness of negative consequences like gun violence.

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Why do some of our identity-defining commitments resist reason and critical reflection, and why do we persist in them even when they threaten our happiness, safety, and comfort?

Paul Katsafanas argues in his book Philosophy of Devotion:The Longing for Invulnerable Ideals (Oxford UP, 2023) that these commitments involve an ethical stance that he calls devotion to sacred ideas.

A sacred value is one that we cannot trade with ordinary values, or even consider trading off. When a value is sacred, no rational considerations will disrupt commitment to it. Philosophy of Devotion offers a detailed philosophical account and defense of these features both reasonable and unreasonable, beneficial and detrimental. Katsafanas explains that a life with meaningful commitments is richer and more meaningful than a life without deep, sustained commitments.

At the same time, that same devotion can deform into forms of individual and group fanaticism that can be alienating, extremist, and violent. This fanaticism is driven by feelings of persecution and threat to a fragile self, and exacerbated by feelings of ressentiment, a growing anger and resentment of opposition that becomes self-perpetuating.

In this book Katsafanas also provides an alternative to fanaticism, a way to express non-pathological forms of devotion. With this approach, individuals can avoid the dangers of fanaticism on the one hand and an empty lack of meaning on the other. This perpetual quest requires maintaining a form of existential flexibility, which may include oscillation between affirming these sacred values and deepening understanding through consideration of challenging questions.

Recommended reading: The True Believer by Eric Hoffer

Meghan Cochran studies belief and action as a technologist working in customer experience and as a student of religion, business, and literature.

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