Who I am:
I am a specialist in social and political philosophy, with an emphasis on the Frankfurt School, Critical Theory of Religion, Psychoanalytic Political Theory, as well as German, Russian, and Islamic political thought. I am especially interested in the intersection of the political and religious in contemporary thought and praxis, with Islam in the West being a special focus.
Education:
I received my B.A. (2000) from Western Michigan University, wherein I studied comparative religion, philosophy, history, and music. I continued my studies at WMU, earning my M.A. in comparative religion (2006), under the mentorship of the critical theorist Rudolf J. Siebert, specializing in the theory of religion and contemporary Islamic thought. I received my Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Social and Political Philosophy (2017) with a dissertation on the Frankfurt School’s translation of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim theological concepts into critical political philosophy, and how those post-metaphysical translations can aid Western Muslims in their attempt to be integrated into the secular public sphere as well as into secular polity.
Current Position:
Since 2008, I have taught at The University of Olivet (formerly Olivet College), in Olivet, Michigan, where I am now a full Professor (2022). I teach courses on philosophy, religion, ethics, visionary thinkers, political theory, Arabic, Islamic Studies, psychoanalytic political theory, civilization studies, political science, and Russian history. I have taught for The University of Olivet in Italy, Greece, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
I have presented my work in numerous academic institutions, including: University of Oxford; the University of Edinburgh; the University of Bristol; the University of Exeter; the International Psychoanalytic University in Berlin; the University of Granada, Spain; the University of Alberta; Inter-University Centre in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Tavrida National University in Simferopol/Yalta, Ukraine; Loyola University Rome, Italy, as well as numerous American Universities, including Loyola University Chicago, New York University, Gonzaga University, DePaul University, University of Colorado-Boulder, Augustana College, Ball State University, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and San Diego State University. I am also a Visiting Professor at Michigan State University, Department of Religious Studies. For a list of classes I’ve taught, see:Â classes
Critical Perspectives
In 2018 I accepted the position of Editor-in-Chief of Islamic Perspective Journal, which covers all matters relating to Islam and Muslims. IPJ is a peer-reviewed journal formerly published by the London Academy of Iranian Studies, and briefly published by the Institute for Critical Social Theory. In 2024, Islamic Perspective will be transitioning to Critical Perspectives, opening the journal to subject matters and disciplines outside of Islamic Studies. Critical Perspectives will be the official journal of the Institute for Critical Social Theory.
Dialectical-Religion.org
In 2020, I founded the non-profit organization Dialectical-Religion, which is dedicated to the study, preservation, and continual development of the Critical Theory of Religion and Society, as founded by Dr. Rudolf J. Siebert. Serving as my doktorväter (doctor father) and mentor for the last three decades, Dr. Siebert’s “dialectical religiology” incorporates theology, philosophy, sociology, psychology, history, in its critical analyses, and has had an enormous influence on my own work in the Critical Theory of Religion. To learn more about Dr. Siebert and the work of Dialectical Religion, see the website: dialectical-religion.org
Dialectical-Religion on YouTube
Author:
I am the author of numerous books and articles on the topic of political philosophy, critical theory, Islam, and modernity. Please see my publications page for a list of my publications: Publications
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Ekpyrosis Press:
In 2019, I established a new peer-reviewed academic publishing house: Ekpyrosis Press. This independent press focuses on critical works within philosophy, religion, theology, psychoanalysis, history, literature, sociology, etc., in an attempt to reclaim Western civilization and the Western traditional thought from those who wish to weaponize it against non-Western societies and peoples. Ekpyrosis Press is founded upon the idea that when the West has a strong sense-of-itself, rooted in its own cultural resources, it does not fear others. Rather, it enters into a robust dialogue, discourse, and debate with them on the basis of friendship and good will, and is open to all peoples. Ekpyrosis Press is currently accepting book proposals.
Institute for Critical Social Theory
In 2021, I founded the Institute for Critical Social Theory, which I co-direct with my colleague, Dr. Seyed Javad Miri. This institute is dedicated to inter-disciplinary collaborative work, with scholars from around the globe. If you are interested in such critical work, please see the website.
dustinjbyrd
Dustin J. Byrd, Ph.D. 