The Fullness of Time: Tocqueville and the Democratic Moment

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University Club, Room 212
@ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Sepia-toned image of Richard Avramenko wearing a suit jacket in front of library book shelves

Monday Seminar:

Richard Avramenko

Resident Fellow (2009-2010)

Political Science, UW-Madison

 

This paper examines the concept of time in Tocqueville’s thought through the lens of the philosophy of internal time-consciousness. While Tocqueville himself offers no systematic analysis of time consciousness, his descriptive observations present a rich, comparative account. Tocqueville’s way of thinking, it will be argued, is colored by his aristocratic epistemology. His remarks on the depth and shape of democratic time-consciousness arise precisely when he is struck by real difference. His comments are thus begotten by the wonder, amusement, and dread he experiences when staring in the face of the democratic understanding of time.

 

Richard Avramenko, UW-Madison Resident Fellow at the Institute, has taught both Political Science and Integrated Liberal Studies at the University of Wisconsin since the Fall of 2005. His main areas of interest are ancient and continental political thought, though he tends to pursue themes rather than specific thinkers or eras. Avramenko has written articles on topics such as Plato, Dostoevsky, St. Augustine, Tocqueville, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Canadian identity politics.