HPhil Seminar: June 5, 2025

The HPhil (History of Philosophy) Research Group of the Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon announces the 2024/25 edition of its permanent seminar on the history of philosophy, devoted to the presentation of conferences by renowned specialists while also creating opportunities to emerging scholars, aiming to promote advanced studies in groundbreaking debates and the permanent training of its academic community.

In this session of the seminar, Sara Heinämaa (University of Jyväskylä) will present a paper, entitled “Being Disgusted by Hate Speech: A Phenomenological-Philosophical Analysis of Amorphous Hatred”. (abstract below)

The session will take place on June 5, 2025 at 5 p.m., in the Room C201.J (Room Mattos Romão, Department of Philosophy). Admission is free.

Abstract

The paper studies hate speech as a limit phenomenon with intentional-temporal structures and pre-intentional depths. By demonstrating that a specific amorphous form of hatred lies at the core of hate speech, it questions the received view according to which hate speech is guided by prejudices and bigotry. Amorphous hatred shares three features with basic hatred: (i) focus on evil, (ii) interest in destruction and (iii) temporal permanence. It differs from basic hatred, however, in operating independently of provocation and without internal limits. On this basis, the paper then argues that the emotion of disgust is needed for the identification of the disvalue of hate speech.