Post-Hegelian philosophy of history and political theology of Carl Schmitt 3501-M75-11

The general issue of the lecture is a reinterpretation of Carl Schmitt’s political theology in the conceptual framework of Hegelian and post-Hegelian philosophy of history. We shall try to show that the main thesis put forward by Schmitt: “all the significant concepts of the modern doctrine of state are secularized theological concepts” – philosophically and structurally is connected (independently of ideological Schmitt’s affiliations) with broadly conceived (and influenced by Schelling) movement of “The New Hegelians” (Hess, Stirner, Bauer, Feuerbach, Marx, and – first of all – Kierkegaard, founder of onto-theology of “exception”). Our reinterpretation of Schmitt’s political theology has three dimension.
Firstly, an analysis (in spheres of semantics and the history of philosophy) of the concept of secularization which must be conceived philosophically (not in an empirical and sociological way). This concept is presupposed by Schmitt and as something implicite obvious; but what it conceals: particular material assumptions - is to be made explicit clear. From the philosophical point of view political theology is based on the concept of secularization, i.e. a symmetrically and reversible relation. The analysis of the secularization’s relationship is also a point of departure for critique of the so-called postsecularism which is a form or a phase of secularization (as a reversible relation).
Secondly, reconstruction of the political theology will consist in an analysis of Schmitt – Kelsen relationship and “the concept of the political” and sovereignty, the concept which culminates in its total opposition, namely in (anti)political and atheistic “philosophy of immanence” (Schmitt’s words) of Hegel.
Thirdly, the confrontation of Benjamin’s theory of time with theology of history shows “coincidentia oppositorum” and the paradox of the conservative theology of revolution in the thought of late Schmitt.