Philosophy Against Fascism, session 1: Lecture by Alberto Toscano (Jan. 15, 2026)
praxis-cful
Philosophy Against Fascism: A Monthly Event Series
Until recently, fascism was widely assumed to have been defeated by the moral and political lessons of the Second World War. Yet in the early twenty-first century, fascist tendencies have re-emerged not as a simple repetition of the 1930s, but as a mutation adapted to contemporary conditions. Today, authoritarian movements often rise through democratic means, exploiting widespread disillusionment with mainstream politics while advancing illiberal agendas from within democratic institutions. Their discourse draws on narratives of national rebirth, lost greatness, and the recovery of sovereignty from “corrupt elites,” “globalists,” and constructed outsiders. Contemporary fascism also permeates everyday life, normalizing misogyny, homophobia, and racism, and making authoritarianism appear desirable or inevitable. Its resurgence is closely linked to digital media, which accelerates the circulation of conspiracy theories, hate speech, and extremist propaganda, often repackaged in playful or subcultural aesthetics that obscure their violent implications.
Understanding and critique of the emergence of fascism requires an analysis of its complex ideological dimensions. Praxis-CFUL – the Practical Philosophy Research Group of the Center of Philosophy, University of Lisbon – and Livraria Tigre de Papel initiate the discussion series Philosophy Against Fascism, bringing together philosophers and theorists to critically examine contemporary forms of fascism and rethink anti-fascism today through lenses of capitalism, race, gender, nation, coloniality, and democracy.
The event will take place every second Thursday of the month, in the format of lectures, roundtables & open discussions (PT/EN).
Session 1: 15 January 2026 (18.30-20.00)
Livraria Tigre de Papel (Rua de Arroios 25, Lisboa).
Lecture by Alberto Toscano (Simon Fraser University, Canada)
Coordination: Tamara Caraus (Praxis-CFUL)
This event is funded by Portuguese national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., within the project UID/00310/2025, Centro de Filosofia da Universidade de Lisboa.