Iran's Troubled Modernity: Debating Ahmad Fardid's Legacy

Ahmad Fardid (1910–94), an anti-Western philosopher known as the Iranian Heidegger, became the philosophical spokesperson for the Islamic Republic, coining the term "Westoxication." Ali Mirsepassi's book explores Fardid's life and intellectual legacy, shedding light on Iran's twentieth-century intellectual and political self-construction and his role in creating Iranian modernity. The Fardid phenomenon contributed to a broader twentieth-century Heideggerian tradition that marked the political destiny of other countries under similar ideological sway. Mirsepassi examines Iran's recent upheavals, experiments, and mass mobilizations through a sociological framework and lived experience.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 381 pages
Publication date: 12 November 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Ahmad Fardid, the renowned anti-Western philosopher often referred to as the Iranian Heidegger, assumed the role of the self-proclaimed philosophical spokesperson for the Islamic Republic. His profound influence extended far beyond Iran, as he coined the term "Westoxication." In his captivating book, Ali Mirsepassi meticulously reconstructs Fardid's life and intellectual legacy, drawing from a wealth of new materials and insightful interviews with thirteen individuals. Each interview offers a unique perspective on Iran's twentieth-century intellectual and political journey, highlighting Fardid's pivotal role in shaping Iranian modernity. The Fardid phenomenon, while distinct to the Iranian context, played a significant part in a broader twentieth-century Heideggerian tradition that impacted the political trajectories of other nations influenced by similar ideological beliefs. Mirsepassi delves into the intricate mechanisms through which deadly political authenticity movements gain traction in modern societies, spreading their ideology. By seamlessly blending a sociological framework with the realities of lived experiences, he examines Iran's recent and astonishing upheavals, experiments, and mass mobilizations. This book is a profound exploration of the complexities of political identity, ideology, and the power of authenticity in shaping societies.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108700269