What's Left of Philosophy 125 TEASER | Elias Canetti: Crowds and Power
Dec 4, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of crowds through Elias Canetti's insights! The hosts explore the idea that crowds serve as the connective tissue of social life, shaping collective identity. They unravel metaphors of theatrical crowds and discuss how spontaneity can hide underlying intentions. From sports fans to digital gatherings, the conversation reveals how modern algorithms influence crowd dynamics. Expect a wild ride through sociology, political theory, and the fascinating orchestration of human connection!
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Crowd As Social Connective Tissue
- Canetti treats the 'crowd' as the primary connective tissue that makes social ties intelligible rather than mere aggregates of individuals.
- He classifies many crowd forms (prohibition, worship, entertainment) to map how social bonds gain intensity and structure.
Synchronization Over Individual Views
- Canetti sees crowds as synchronous experiences where individuals lose isolated perspectives to a higher-order formation.
- The theater example shows how shared witnessing creates public feeling beyond individual viewpoints.
Re Describing Social Life From Scratch
- Canetti's vocabulary rebuilds social phenomena from fresh first principles, avoiding standard political-philosophical categories.
- This gives wide descriptive reach but can create theoretical looseness compared to canonical frameworks.
