New academic books examine Japanese far-right, Roman religion, quantum physics, and fascism

Recent academic and intellectual publications delve into diverse historical, philosophical, and scientific topics.

Yuji Hosaka, an expert on Japan-South Korea relations, presents "The Myth of the Far Right in Japan." The book scrutinizes the origins, ideological lineage, and contemporary manifestations of Japan's far-right movement. Hosaka reveals the political strategy of reviving ancient Japanese emperors and Shinto deities, such as Amaterasu, the sun goddess and god of war, as a means to bolster the far-right's agenda.

"Roman Traditional Religion and Christianity" by Choi Hye-young offers a socio-historical and philosophical examination of ancient Roman religion's transformation. It highlights how Roman religion initially focused on appeasing local deities for worldly protection rather than transcendental faith. The book details the gradual decline of traditional gods and the widespread adoption of Christianity.

Alain Aspect, a Nobel laureate in Physics, provides "What Einstein Would Have Known," explaining the peculiar characteristics of the quantum world, particularly 'quantum entanglement,' through physical experiments rather than purely philosophical debate. The book re-evaluates Einstein's famous quote, "God does not play dice," suggesting it reflected his persistent quest for understanding nature's fundamental principles rather than a rejection of quantum mechanics.

Other new releases include "The Archaeologist Trapped in an Elevator," an engaging introduction to ancient Greek civilization and archaeology presented with humor and narrative flair, and "The Myth of Fascism" by Federico Finchelstein, which analyzes fascism through psychoanalysis, literature, and law, contrasting interpretations of its connection to primal violence and its role in replacing historical complexity with simplistic hatred.