Dmitry Moiseev explores the lives of European intellectuals Baron Julius Evola and Ernst Jünger, focusing on their shift from radical politics to intellectual pursuits throughout the twentieth century.
European ‘right-wing’ intellectuals Baron Julius Evola (1898–1974) and Ernst Jünger (1895–1998) are prominent representatives of radical political thought in the twentieth century. Evola and Jünger belonged to the same ideological camp, which we call ‘right-wing’, and their political works belonged to the same epoch. Both were notable political radicals in the 1920s, chose the path of ‘internal emigration’ in the 1930s, refusing to establish relationships with the right-wing radical regimes that came to power in Italy and Germany, and, after the war, detached themselves from politics and focused exclusively on intellectual work.
In this article, we will briefly examine the movement of Julius Evola and Ernst Jünger from active political radicalism to apoliteia, that is, to the establishment of a significant internal distance from contemporary politics, coupled with a refusal to participate actively in it, and try to understand the reasons that led these thinkers to make such a life choice.
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European ‘right-wing’ intellectuals Baron Julius Evola (1898–1974) and Ernst Jünger (1895–1998) are prominent representatives of radical political thought in the twentieth century. Evola and Jünger belonged to the same ideological camp, which we call ‘right-wing’, and their political works belonged to the same epoch. Both were notable political radicals in the 1920s, chose the path of ‘internal emigration’ in the 1930s, refusing to establish relationships with the right-wing radical regimes that came to power in Italy and Germany, and, after the war, detached themselves from politics and focused exclusively on intellectual work.
In this article, we will briefly examine the movement of Julius Evola and Ernst Jünger from active political radicalism to apoliteia, that is, to the establishment of a significant internal distance from contemporary politics, coupled with a refusal to participate actively in it, and try to understand the reasons that led these thinkers to make such a life choice.
To read this and gain access to exclusive content, become a member. Articles behind the paywall will become accessible to the public after a 30-day period.
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Translated by Constantin von Hoffmeister
Dmitry Moiseev was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1987. He received his PhD in history of philosophy from the National Research University – Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow. He also holds an MSc in philosophical anthropology from HSE, a BSc in economics and management from the London School of Economics and a BSc in economics from HSE. He is a guest lecturer at HSE, a member of the Russian Philosophical Society and the Russian Society for History and Philosophy of Science.
