Your observation touches upon a significant critique of Alain Badiou’s philosophical framework, particularly regarding his concept of “fidelity to the event.” Badiou posits that an event is a radical rupture in the existing order, introducing a new truth that demands fidelity—a committed process of integrating this truth into the fabric of reality. However, his endorsement of the Cultural Revolution as an exemplar of such an event has been a point of contention.
Critics argue that Badiou’s unwavering commitment to the Cultural Revolution overlooks the historical realities and human costs associated with it. For instance, scholars have noted that his analysis “completely neglects what really happened to the Chinese during this period and shows a curious willingness on the part of the author to take literally the discourses produced by the official propaganda of the day” . This raises questions about the grounding of his fidelity—whether it stems from a critical engagement with historical facts or from an ideological commitment that may disregard empirical evidence.
Furthermore, Badiou’s concept of fidelity is rooted in a subjective decision to commit to the truth of an event, which he acknowledges cannot be justified by prior knowledge or empirical validation. This has led some to liken his approach to “decisionism,” where the act of deciding itself is paramount, potentially at the expense of critical scrutiny .
In light of these critiques, it’s pertinent to question the foundations of Badiou’s fidelity to events like the Cultural Revolution. Does his philosophical commitment adequately account for the complexities and consequences of such historical events? Or does it risk perpetuating a form of ideological blindness by elevating abstract principles over concrete realities?
These questions underscore the importance of critically examining the interplay between philosophical commitments and historical contexts, ensuring that fidelity to an event does not come at the cost of overlooking the nuanced and often painful truths of human experiences.