Regressive Illusions - by Florian Maiwald (Paperback)

About the Book

It is not false consciousness that is bad, in itself, but rather the regressive impulses it creates politically, socially and morally.

Book Synopsis

It is not false consciousness that is bad, in itself, but rather the regressive impulses it creates politically, socially and morally.

Illusions are part of our everyday lives - but it depends what kind of illusions are navigating us through our predicaments. Drawing on insights from critical theory and psychoanalysis, Florian Maiwald explores how multiple interconnected challenges force us to confront the illusions sustaining our societal norms. Maiwald argues that as collective illusions of progress crumble, we are not responding with innovative solutions but retreating into what he terms 'regressive illusions': backward-looking fantasies that quite often masquerade as progressive ideals. These illusions lead us not towards a brighter future but back into the shadows of the past. This book critically examines various manifestations of these regressive tendencies, including the rise of far-right politics, the contradictions of 'woke capitalism, ' and the decay of utopian thinking in the age of AI. Maiwald weaves together insights from philosophy, critical theory, and psychoanalysis to expose the underlying mechanisms of our current social and political malaise. More than a mere critique, Regressive Illusions advocates for understanding the necessity of certain illusions while calling for a renewed capacity for critical thinking in the face of crisis.

Review Quotes

Alfie Bown, author of Dream Lovers and Post-Comedy

Ours is the age of fantasy. Intent on burying and denying the shocking condition of our material reality, we indulge in wilder and more far-fetched dreams that cover up the truth of our world. Many of these present themselves as progressive, utopian illusions filled with visions of the future and imaginary solutions that promise salvation. But, as Florian Maiwald - the emerging star of psychoanalytic theory - shows in Regressive Illusions, these fantasies lead not into the light of the progressive future but back into the regressive darkness of the past. If we cannot understand these illusions for what they are - as this book does - then we will be stuck in this form of tragic capitalism forever.

About the Author

Florian Maiwald is a German philosopher and currently teaches at the University of Bonn. He holds a PhD in Philosophy. In addition to numerous academic articles, he also publishes political articles and philosophical essays in popular media such as Sublation Magazine, Jacobin or ABC Australia. He lives in Bonn, Germany.