Can philosophy be militant? Explore Badiou's concept of the "philosophical militant"

Alain Badiou advocates for a philosophy deeply intertwined with political action, envisioning the philosopher as a "philosophical militant." This concept transcends the traditional role of philosophy as mere reflection on politics, instead positioning it as a direct intervention within the political arena. Badiou seeks to "invent what I would call the ‘philosophical militant’, to make philosophy into a militant practice in its presence, in its way of being: not simply a reflection upon politics, but a real political intervention." This entails a departure from the detached, contemplative image of the philosopher, transforming them into a "writer-combatant, an artist of the subject, a lover of invention."

Badiou's call for a militant philosophy stems from a dissatisfaction with the separation of concept and action, a division he attributes to Kant. He aims to "abandon the opposition between philosophy of knowledge and philosophy of action...and to demonstrate that knowledge itself, even scientific knowledge, is actually a practice." This integration of theory and practice is crucial for Badiou's philosophical project, as it allows philosophy to actively shape the world rather than passively observe it.

The idea of the philosophical militant is closely linked to Badiou's understanding of truth and the event. For Badiou, truth emerges from events that disrupt the established order, and the role of the militant is to remain faithful to these truths and to work towards their realization. This requires a commitment to a specific political cause and a willingness to challenge the dominant ideologies. Badiou's own involvement in Maoist politics during the 1960s and 70s exemplifies this commitment, as he sought to translate his philosophical ideas into concrete political action. The philosophical militant, therefore, is not simply an intellectual but an active participant in the struggle for a more just world.