Article ID: CBB000850778

Modern Mass Aberration: Hermann Broch and the Problem of Irrationality (2008)

unapi

The mass theory of the Austrian novelist and philosopher Hermann Broch has been virtually ignored in social theory. However, the recent theoretical interest in crowds makes it pertinent to scrutinize this part of his work. This article presents and examines the fundamental architecture of Broch's Massenwahntheorie, its historical context and how it may contribute to contemporary social theory. Specifically, Broch's insistence on the irrational dimensions of human behaviour is analysed as well as his emphasis on psychological anxiety in modern society. It is argued that both aspects may point beyond the specific context of his writings and illuminate important general aspects of social and political life.

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https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB000850778/

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Authors & Contributors
Fontaine, Philippe
Cohen-Cole, Jamie Nace
Åsa Andersson
Susanne Schmidt
Baerveldt, Cor
Richard, Vickie
Concepts
Psychology
Social sciences
Social psychology
Sociology
Emotions; passions
Psychiatry
Time Periods
20th century, late
21st century
20th century
Places
United States
Alberta, Canada
Japan
Germany
Israel
Institutions
University of Alberta (Canada)
United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Stanford University
University of Chicago
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