Immunological Discourse in Political Philosophy

Inge Mutsaers completed her doctoral work at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and is currently an independent researcher and policy advisor to the Dutch College of General Practitioners.

• List of FiguresAcknowledgementsPreface1. Introducing the relation between biology and politics PART I Biological immunisation2. The roots of philosophical immunity 3. Developments in immunology 4. Immunisation against viral threatsPART II Philosophical immunisation5. Sloterdijk’s ‘Immunology of Spheres’ 6. Alternative immunological concepts in political philosophyGENERAL DISCUSSION7. Towards a common philosophical immunological repertoire ReferencesIndex

’In Inge Mutsaers’ excellent book, it is argued that political thought and action is permeated with notions such as purity, contagion, or infection. Since Aristotle, philosophers have always sensed that politics is about nothing else than the provision of immunity. Mutsaers’ merit in this highly readable book is that she somehow manages to convey her profound disquiet about this state of affairs to her readership.’ René ten Bos, Radboud University, The Netherlands ’The often tense relationship between biological and political philosophical concepts is bridged in an admirable manner in this book by an equally profound and accurate analysis of the concept of immunity. A must read for anybody interested in both political and social philosophy as in the work of Peter Sloterdijk.’ Huub Dijstelbloem, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands ’A fine exploration into a fascinating new field where biology and philosophy meet. What is the urgency of immunological insights for modern politics and culture? Starting from ground-breaking thinkers like Esposito and Sloterdijk, Inge Mutsaers offers an original and exciting approach to this question.’ Laurens ten Kate, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands