Steven G. Ogden, Problematising Theism: Miguel Vatter, An-Arche, and Its Implications, Etica & Politica / Ethics & Politics, XXVI, 2024, 2, pp. 279-293
ABSTRACT
This essay addresses the complexity of the politics-religion nexus. I use the work of Miguel Vatter as my primary source as well as concepts from Michel Foucault’s conceptual toolbox. Specifically, the essay consists of three analytical moves, which relate in turn to theism, Vatter’s political theology, and an-arche. First, historically, versions of theism have been embraced, implicitly and explicitly, as an ultimate referent, legitimising hegemonic political practices. To analyse this, then, I employ a dispositif of Western Christian theism. As a preliminary step, however, I use the work of Kojève on atheism to understand better the character of theism as separation (e.g., not of this world). That is, I use the idea of theism as separation to develop the dispositif. Second, I am interested in the political theology of Vatter. I analyse themes and concepts in his work, which culminates in a renewed appreciation of the concept and the practice of an-arche (no rule). This entails situating and analysing Vatter’s Divine Democracy within the context of the overall trajectory of his work. Third, using Schürmann, I begin to develop the concept of an-arche as a potential counter to hegemonic politics. In this context, while an-arche subverts entrenched certainties, it also opens new possibilities.
KEYWORDS
Foucault, Kojève, Schürmann, theism, dispositif, an-arche
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