Alexis Rosenbaum (born 1969, in
Paris
Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...
) is a
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
essayist. After studying philosophy and psychology at the University of Paris-Sorbonne, he graduated with a dissertation on "hierarchical representations in the history of philosophy". He currently teaches at the
Polytechnic Institute of Paris.
Most of Rosenbaum's multidisciplinary works are meant to put modes of comparison into historical perspective. ''The sacred order'' (L'ordre sacré) questions the importance of hierarchical images (levels of thought, strata of Being, scales of virtue,...) in the history of western philosophy. Stressing the importance of platonic traditions, Rosenbaum argues that stratification is the prevailing mode of comparison in antique and medieval philosophy. He acknowledges the decline of hierarchical images during the European Renaissance, but contends that this decline is misleading, as hierarchical representations have been surviving in more discreet ways ever since.
''The fear of inferiority'' (La peur de l'infériorité) investigates the historical changes in procedures of social comparison, highlighting the peculiarities of the contemporary system of "overcomparison". The influence of
Alfred Adler's thought on this work is undeniable. Through the expectation of personal success, the intensification of
envy and the invasion of measures, it is argued, subjects of nonhierarchical societies are constantly comparing to each other and "prone to feelings of inferiority".
In ''Antisemitism'', Rosenbaum tries to show how this permanent and ubiquitous social jealousy frames the modern forms of
antisemitism
Antisemitism (also spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who holds such positions is called an antisemite. Antisemitism is considered to be a form of racism.
Antis ...
.
In ''Vivid memories'', lastly, the question of the collective components of pride or humiliation is tackled. Drawing on
social comparison theory, Rosenbaum maintains that History of one's group is a major resource for individuals seeking to gain or regain self-esteem. The emergence of competing memories in multicultural countries like France or the U.S. is then traced back to social comparison processes.
Bibliography
* 2007: ''Vivid memories''.
émoires vives. Comment les communautés instrumentalisent l'Histoire Paris: Bourin.
* 2006: ''Antisemitism''.
'antisémitisme Paris: Bréal
* 2005: ''The fear of inferiority''
a peur de l'infériorité. Aperçus sur le régime moderne de la comparaison sociale Paris: L'Harmattan.
* 2003: ''Imaginary gazes''.
egards imaginaires. Essais préliminaires à une écologie visuelle.Paris: L'Harmattan
* 1999: ''The sacred order''.
'ordre sacré. Les représentations hiérarchiques en philosophie.Paris : Desclée de Brouwer.
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1969 births
University of Paris alumni
French essayists
Living people
French male essayists