Jonas Jakobsen
Job description
Associate Professor of Philosophy with a focus on democracy, freedom of expression, right- and left-wing populism, as well as philosophical questions concerning identity, recognition, and the good life.
In my academic articles, I write, among other things, about different views on democracy, the public sphere, and the ethics of speech; social struggles and conflicts; religion and the use of religious arguments in politics; hate speech and the (limits of) freedom of expression; as well as democratic challenges such as polarization, distrust, and extremism.
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Research interests
Is Democracy the Best Form of Government, and How Can We Justify It? What does the ideal of a democratic public sphere entail, and how is this ideal threatened by polarization, disinformation, and the concentration of power on social media?
Populism and Democracy: What is populism, and how does populist politics challenge liberal democracy? What are the ideological foundations of today’s right-wing populist wave, including the criticism of "woke" culture and "cancel culture"? Is there a left-wing populist alternative to right-wing populism? How should democratic states and citizens respond to the threats posed by authoritarian populism?
Trump’s Philosophers: Which philosophical ideas are used by people in Trump’s administration, as well as wealthy donors, to legitimize his policies?
Freedom of Speech: How can we justify freedom of speech, and how extensive should it be? How is hate speech defined, and should it be prohibited? Should blasphemy and the offense of "religious feelings" be outlawed in secular democracies?
Member of research group
CV
Associate Professor, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway University, 2014 -
PhD-student, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway University, 2009 - 2014
University Lecturer, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway University, 2007 - 2009
High School Teacher, Nykøbing Katedralskole, Denmark, 2004 - 2007