Theory and History

Towards an Endemic Political Thought
From history we learn that political crises lead to changes and revolutions in political thought. In light of the intensive political crisis beleaguering Israel for at least four decades, the absence of an approach to political theory which arises from and is geared toward the local condition is a phenomenon in need of explanation. The aim of this group is to examine the relation between the political situation in Israel (and between Israel and the Palestinians) and political philosophy in its broadest sense. In the process, we hope to adumbrate the contours of a political theory attuned to our local situation.
Directors: Mr. Assaf Sharon, Mr. Avner Inbar

The Development of Political and Social Thought in the Arab Population in Israel
A group of researchers will explore the sources and content of the political and social thought of political and social movements and of various groups that have developed in the Arab population, as well as the politico-social thought in literature and poetry, up to the formulation of the "Vision" document of 2006–2007. Each researcher will focus on one issue and will examine it in various movements and groups.
Academic Directors: Prof. Aziz Haidar, Dr. Raef Zreik

The Concept of Nihilism and the Limits of Political Critique in Israel
The group will examine current trends in political critique, especially where the concept of Nihilism is used as a boundary for reflection in different institutional discourses. During the first year the group will read texts in theory of Nihilism (Nietzsche, Heidegger, Juenger, Bataille, Blanchot, Baudrillard, Derrida and Vattimo) as well as different analyses and histories (Conor Cunnigham, Karl Loewith, Stanely Rosen and others). During the second year the group will start reading about, and of the critical discourse in Israeli politics. The principle aim of our group is to map different critical concepts in relation to their own dynamic, on the one hand, and in relation to the way they operate in the institutional discourse in current politics, on the other. The group plans a small workshop during the first year, and a large conference during the second. The group will finalize its research by the publication of a special issue or a collection of essays, based on different projects by the group members.
Academic Director: Dr. Nitzan Lebovic

Cosmological Time and Phenomenological Time
The purpose of this research group is to propose an approach to the study of time that is interdisciplinary (psychological, historical, philosophical, and physical). Special emphasis will be placed on the connection between the awareness of time, on the one hand, and the study of actual time as it is expressed in physics and in philosophical discussions in the twentieth century, on the other. This integrative approach may lead to a new perspective on a variety of areas in which time plays a key role.
Academic Directors: Dr. Michael Roubach, Dr. Yuval Dolev

The History of Concepts
A research group, composed of researchers from various disciplines who deal with concepts, their contexts and their histories, convenes at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute to discuss theoretical issues, to create a shared knowledge base, a common language for discussion and a methodological 'toolbox,' with the aim of building an interdisciplinary research community in Israel in cooperation with parallel groups elsewhere.
As a part of this project, an introductory course to the History of Concepts was offered in September 2008, in cooperation with the International Research School in Conceptual History and Political Thought (Concepta). Program
The September 2009 workshop focused on the history of concepts in the natural sciences, in medical and military discourses, and to concepts of peace and conflict. The workshop was held in cooperation with Concepta and the Centre for Literary and Cultural Research in Berlin (ZfL). Program
The August 2010 workshop will focus on the history of concepts of art and religion.
Academic Directors: Prof. Gabriel Motzkin, Sinai Rusinek

Theory and Criticism
First published in 1989, this interdisciplinary journal helps to set the theoretical agenda for the study of Israeli culture and society. Two volumes are published every year.
Editor: Prof. Yehouda Shenhav

Theory and Criticism in Context
This book series publishes books and research monographs on culture and society in Israel. All monographs – which are based on original research and go through a rigorous review process –attempt to delineate intellectual fields, to identify lacuna, and to generate open academic and public dialogue over those issues. The series was inaugurated in 2002 and is subject to the decisions of its academic board.
Editor: Prof. Yehouda Shenhav