Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic against Some elements of Modern Political Philosophy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of International Relations, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. University of Tehran. Tehran. Iran.

3 Ph.D. in Political Science, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science. Shiraz University. Shiraz. Iran.

Abstract

Extended abstract
Introduction: One of the most important issues raised by the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic is its impact on political philosophy. The pandemic opened an antagonistic space regarding the existing components of political philosophy and challenge them. In fact, the COVID-19 Pandemic provided a critical platform for questioning the established norms and prompted discussions on the necessity of rethinking and re-evaluating them. The purpose of this article is to answer the fundamental question of how the COVID-19 Pandemic has created an antagonistic space for the elements of modern political philosophy.
Methods: The method used in this article is the critical method. Critical theory seeks to develop and expand the understanding and awareness that penetrates beyond surface appearances to the depth of reality in order to increase the power of correct recognition of people, especially the powerless or subjugated classes. The critical aspect of this article allows the author to present the relations emerging from the COVID-19 in human societies as unacceptable and replaceable. This method helps to identify and challenge social and cultural issues in society and is effective in improving and developing human relations during pandemics. The information gathering method is both library-based and internet-based.
Results and discussion: Among the most important challenges that COVID-19 has posed to the new political philosophy are the questioning of concepts such as rationalism, humanism and individualism, which have been temporarily challenged by the pandemic. It can be said that this virus embodies the friend/enemy distinction and Schmitt's narrative of the political in the context of the COVID-19 situation presented itself in the form of a confrontation between the coronavirus and humanity. Humanity, once perceived as dominant over nature and the world, has been rendered weak and powerless by the virus. Furthermore, rationalism and scientism of philosophy of modernity which held that humanity, through these principles, could intervene in all matters and solve its problems independently of the external world, have also been brought into conflict by the pandemic. COVID-19 has highlighted the weaknesses and limitations of human reason. Categories such as artificial intelligence have easily been able to fit themselves in the clothes of the enemy of human reason, and as Farid Zakaria points out, during the pandemic, we have come to worship artificial intelligence like a God. Therefore, despite the abundant services of science and rationality to mankind, COVID-19  has reminded us that they still have undeniable limitations and cannot be the sole solutions to human problems.
Conclusion: The danger of COVID-19 highlights the risks of technological manipulation of human and natural resources, using calculative and computational reasoning as a tool for the economic benefit and overall utility of dominant powers. Environmental destruction is an act of violence against nature, leading to humanity's self-destruction through the creation of pandemics that challenge human life. Therefore, attempts to prevent or resolve the riddle of pandemics require something more than the calculative and computational knowledge of modernity.

Keywords

References

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