The idea and practice of radicalism: Comments on Grażyna Żurkowska’s concept

Sociological interpretations of the processes of “radicalization” should take into account the complex and interdisciplinary nature of the phenomenon of “radicalism” itself. This article illustrates some of the intricacies involved here. Radicalism is an intellectual and philosophical attitude that reaches the roots [radix] of things, and thus is supposed to enable a more thorough understanding and transformation of reality. In this form, radicalism was for some the embodiment of humanism and progressiveness, for others it led to “spiritual intoxication.” Still others saw in it a neutral attitude of quasi-religious prophetism. In psychological interpretations, radicalism had its roots in the depths of the human psyche. It was interpreted as an expression of infantile emotionality, resentment or neurasthenia, it was associated with repressed needs, madness, conspiracy thinking or hatred. Interpreted as a culturally and historically relative phenomenon, radicalism reflects the power of hegemonic ideas and the phenomenon of specific public spheres. From this perspective, it has been interpreted as an expression of the democratic culture of narcissistic individualism, the progress of liberal democracies, left-wing revolutionary movements and reactionary right-wing movements, as well as a strictly modern phenomenon. As a social phenomenon, radicalism has been interpreted in numerous ways, especially in the sociology of social movements. An original contribution to its understanding was made by the ahistorical anthropology of the Polish philosopher Grażyna Żurkowska, whose concept is discussed in the main part of this article.