“The Frankfurt School and the Dialectics of Religion”
On March 1st, 2023, members of the Institute for Critical Social Theory, Dr. Rudolf J. Siebert and Dr. Dustin J. Byrd, discussed the dialectical nature of religion as it relates to the Frankfurt School, and their attempt to “rescue” religion from itself by translating certain elements into social and political philosophy. Through this “determinate negation,” emancipatory elements in religion live on through post-metaphysical reasoning.
“Pope Benedict XVI: From the Third Reich to the Papacy”
January 11th, 2023, the Institute for Critical Social Theory founder, Dustin J. Byrd, discussed with the ICST member, Rudolf J. Siebert, the life, work, and legacy of Joseph Ratzinger, i.e., Pope Benedict XVI. In this introspective discussion, Siebert discusses the many parallels his life has with Joseph Ratzinger, as well as issues surrounding Ratzinger’s controversial career in the Church, as well as his eight years as Pope.
“Social Theory and the Fundamental Challenges to Humanity”
On December 17th, 2022, members of the Institute for Critical Social Theory discussed some of the more challenging issues facing humanity, including global climate change, political-economics, social injustice, miscarriages of justice, war, and their relation to social theory. The video can be watched on ICST’s YouTube Channel.
“Freud and the Frankfurt School,” with Rudolf J. Siebert
On December 14th, the Institute for Critical Social Theory founder, Dustin J. Byrd, discussed with the ICST member, Rudolf J. Siebert, discussed the topic of “Freud and the Frankfurt School,” wherein they examined the history and role of psychoanalysis in Critical Theory. The video can be watched on ICST’s YouTube Channel.
Call for Papers: Alexander Dugin and the Future of Russia
The Co-Directors of the Institute for Critical Social Theory, Dr. Dustin J. Byrd and Dr. Seyed Javad Miri, invite qualified scholars to participate in a book project on the Russian philosopher, Alexander Dugin. While the official date to submit an abstract has past, the editors with consider proposals until the end of 2022. Please see the Call for Papers:
“The Russo-Ukrainian War: Challenges and Future Scenarios for the Global Order”
The Institute for Critical Social Theory sponsored a Zoom discourse on Sunday April 17th, at 9:30am EST, regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. It included Alexander Azadgan, Dustin J. Byrd, Michael Kuhn, Haiyun Ma, Sergey Markedanov, Charles McKelvey, Mehdi Shariati, and Seyed Javad Miri. Below is a link to the YouTube video.
“Weltschmerz: A Discourse on a Global Condition”
The Institute for Critical Social Theory co-sponsored a discourse on the concept of “Weltschmerz,” or “world pain,” on January 23rd, at 9am EST. It featured a number of our members, including Dr. Dustin J. Byrd, Dr. Seyed Javad Miri, Dr. Rudolf J. Siebert, and Dr. Mehdi Shariati, discussing the travails of the contemporary world.
Institute for Critical Social Theory 