The Politics of Feelings
Hate. The Uses of a Powerful Emotion
The Politics of Feelings. Miriam Schwarz in conversation with Şeyda Kurt about 'Hate. The Uses of a Powerful Emotion' (Verso, 2025).
“In liberal societies, hate is a feature of the categorical Other, and thus a dehumanising ascription that rhetorically and politically shifts people and their political concerns into the realm of the unspeakable”, Şeyda Kurt.
Kurt's bestselling book offers an ideal entry point into discussing a myriad of topics relevant to German studies, connecting philosophy, German history and contemporary politics. Drawing on a vast range of philosophical and literary texts on hate from Aristotle to S. Yizhar, Kurt traces the many meanings and forms that hate takes, and suggests strategies in which it can be epistemologically constructive. A particular focus of the conversation will be on the essayistic form of Kurt's philosophical text, and the English translation.
The event will take place in English on 27 April 2026 at Murray Edwards College in the Fellow's Drawing Room (FDR) at 5 PM, and Online. Please note that the registration for online tickets will close on 24th April, and the link to Zoom will be sent to your email the same day.
Jackie de Pont's English translation of Şeyda Kurt's book Hass. Von der Macht eines widerständigen Gefühls (Harper Collins, 2023), was published by Verso in 2025.
The conversation and the Q&A will be followed by informal drinks and canapés for in-person attendees, and the opportunity to get your copy signed by the author.
If you have any question, do not hesitate to get in touch with Dr Miriam Schwarz.