Is Hegel Cool? Josh Wretzel's "The Coolness of the Absolute" Live at Webster's Cafe in State College, PA
Dec 10, 2024
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Josh Wretzel, a Penn State philosophy professor, delves into Hegel’s Jena Phenomenology as a form of moral psychology. He uniquely connects Hegelian concepts with the evolution of jazz, specifically the cool sounds of Miles Davis. Wretzel discusses three types of moral personality, reflecting on the impacts of spiritlessness and societal challenges. He emphasizes the importance of recollection and reflection, showcasing how jazz musicians express their lived experiences through music, urging listeners to engage meaningfully with philosophy and art.
Josh Wretzel connects Hegelian philosophy to jazz, illustrating how both embody calm amidst chaos and societal tension.
The successful Kickstarter campaign for Acephalus highlights the revival of interest in erotic tarot and the intersection of art and philosophy.
A collaborative Discord initiative fosters community engagement in philosophical texts, promoting accessible discussions around Deleuze and Guattari's Anti-Oedipus.
Deep dives
Successful Kickstarter Campaign
The Kickstarter campaign for the erotic tarot of Georges Bataille named Acephalus exceeded its initial financial goals after initial uncertainty. Many supporters rallied toward the end of the campaign, providing abundant backing, which contributed to its overall success. As a result, backers can expect to receive either a limited edition tarot deck or the accompanying book of essays later in the year. Additionally, there is a planned surplus that may go on sale in the late summer or fall of 2025 for those who missed the initial support opportunity.
New Collaborative Initiatives
The host announced the launch of a collaborative effort with two other podcasts, which involves creating a free Discord server for collective reading sessions of Anti-Oedipus. This initiative is intended to encourage participation from listeners who have an interest in philosophical discussions. Meetings have already started, offering opportunities for newcomers to join anytime. Throughout 2025, there will be ongoing chapter-by-chapter coverage of the text, along with catch-up sessions to accommodate varying schedules among participants.
Upcoming Special Reading Groups
One of the exciting features of the Discord community is the upcoming group called the Anti-Oedipus Files, focusing on the thinkers referenced by Deleuze and Guattari in their writing. Subscription at a $5 monthly level offers access to this reading group for an entire year. Participants will explore influential works, including those by Freud, Jung, and Nietzsche, while also diving into literature that shaped the discussions in Anti-Oedipus. This initiative aims to deepen understanding of these theories and expand engagement with significant philosophical texts.
Philosophy and Coolness Correlation
The talk presented by Penn State philosophy professor Josh Retzel discussed the intersection of Hegelian philosophy and jazz, positing that philosophy can embody a sense of coolness. Retzel argued that coolness represents the ability to maintain composure amid chaos, which reflects how philosophical thoughts can arise in contrast to societal madness. By linking Hegel's concept of 'absolute knowing' with cultural notions of coolness, he suggests that true philosophy permits reflection and determination in challenging circumstances. The presentation aimed to reconcile the seemingly disparate themes of rigorous philosophy and the creative expressiveness of jazz music.
Historical Examples of Coolness in Jazz
Miles Davis's approach to jazz at the end of the bebop era represents a cultural response against the frenetic style that preceded it, encapsulated in his album Kind of Blue. This album marked a shift towards simplicity and ease in jazz, serving as a countermeasure to the complexity found in traditional bebop. Davis's work can be interpreted as an artistic statement that reflected societal tensions and an audience's chaotic demands. By exemplifying coolness, he offered a mode of expression that was both captivating and contemplative amidst the broader social and political upheavals of his time.
This episode features a live recording of The Coolness of the Absolute, an Acid Horizon event held in State College during the fall of 2024. Penn State philosophy professor Josh Wretzel reinterprets Hegel’s Jena Phenomenology as a moral psychology, exploring three varieties of moral personality and their culmination in absolute knowing. Josh connects these ideas to the cool jazz of Miles Davis, offering a profound reflection on how both philosophy and jazz embody calm contemplation amidst disruption.