Philosophy Bites: Sari Nusseibeh on Philosophy and Conflict
Date: August 17, 2025
Hosts: David Edmonds & Nigel Warburton
Guest: Professor Sari Nusseibeh
Overview
In this rich and wide-ranging episode, Palestinian philosopher Sari Nusseibeh discusses the intersection of philosophy and conflict, drawing on his personal history, academic journey across East and West, and decades of involvement with the Israeli-Palestinian situation. The discussion explores philosophy’s power to foster empathy, self-examination, and possibility for reconciliation—while also acknowledging the hard political realities and limitations of ideal theory in practice.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Early Life and Intellectual Formation
[00:48–02:12]
- Nusseibeh was born into a “distinguished” Palestinian family with deep historical roots tracing back to early Islamic history and Jerusalem.
- “Our family name, Nusaibi, comes from the very, very distant past. It's the name of a woman who supposedly fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad. … I was born personally in Damascus…after my birth, I came to Jerusalem and grew up in Jerusalem.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [01:02]
- “Our family name, Nusaibi, comes from the very, very distant past. It's the name of a woman who supposedly fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad. … I was born personally in Damascus…after my birth, I came to Jerusalem and grew up in Jerusalem.”
- His formative years were marked by regional conflict and displacement.
Oxford: The Influence of Philosophical Education
[01:47–02:59]
- Studied at Oxford at a time when ordinary language philosophy was prominent; valued the method of philosophical questioning more than specific doctrines.
- “He [Oscar Wood, his tutor] made you always search for good reasons for holding the view that you hold … this has stayed with me, you know, it's also been how I've taught philosophy courses back here.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [02:12]
- “He [Oscar Wood, his tutor] made you always search for good reasons for holding the view that you hold … this has stayed with me, you know, it's also been how I've taught philosophy courses back here.”
Integrating Philosophical Traditions
[02:59–04:39]
- Nusseibeh’s perspective is shaped by both Western and Islamic philosophy—rejects strict divisions between traditions.
- “Philosophy has always been the same, to my understanding, starting with the Greeks and the Persians, if you like, and the Indians...the ideas, the problems of philosophy have stayed the same.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [03:20]
- “Philosophy has always been the same, to my understanding, starting with the Greeks and the Persians, if you like, and the Indians...the ideas, the problems of philosophy have stayed the same.”
- Studied Avicenna but applied analytic methods learned from W.V.O. Quine at Harvard.
The Role of Philosophy in Intractable Conflict
[05:11–08:53]
- Philosophy’s greatest contribution in conflict: encouraging self-examination and understanding others’ viewpoints to find “good reasons” for our beliefs.
- “Philosophy can do things in that way, in the sense of challenging one's opinions, one's beliefs, asking questions, making sure one knows what it is one wants, making priorities…”
—Sari Nusseibeh [06:37]
- “Philosophy can do things in that way, in the sense of challenging one's opinions, one's beliefs, asking questions, making sure one knows what it is one wants, making priorities…”
- Personal anecdote: once believed “all of Palestine is mine”; through dialogue, learned to recognize shared humanity and possibility for friendship across divides.
- “Once you start talking, exchanging ideas, you begin to develop sympathies...you go one step further to see how you can therefore build bridges between yourself and the other based on the fact that you're both human beings.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [08:02]
- “Once you start talking, exchanging ideas, you begin to develop sympathies...you go one step further to see how you can therefore build bridges between yourself and the other based on the fact that you're both human beings.”
Ethics of Negotiation and the Limits of Morality in Politics
[08:53–10:51]
- Skeptical about the power of ethics or morality within negotiation or warfare; negotiations are often used as mere tools for advancing political aims.
- “People use negotiations as they use war primarily in order to realize, to bring about their political wills. And the political aims are often not in line with the aims of the other party.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [09:16]
- “People use negotiations as they use war primarily in order to realize, to bring about their political wills. And the political aims are often not in line with the aims of the other party.”
- Fruitful negotiation only possible when both sides' “political wills” become compatible.
Philosophical Optimism in the Face of Conflict
[10:51–11:59]
- Nusseibeh remains “an optimist by nature,” also supported by a philosopher's historical perspective.
- “You see how things then somehow find a way to settle again...you see Palestinians and Israelis actually...just being normal human beings interacting perfectly well with one another...there is a ray of hope.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [11:03]
- “You see how things then somehow find a way to settle again...you see Palestinians and Israelis actually...just being normal human beings interacting perfectly well with one another...there is a ray of hope.”
The Dynamism and Power of Political Language
[11:59–15:59]
- Explores the loaded and performative nature of terms like “genocide,” “apartheid,” and “Zionism;” warns against taking political language at face value, as it is often wielded to shape perceptions rather than state facts.
- “A lot of the politics of the political language is...perlocutionary, to use a linguistics term. It is intended to convey something to create effect in your audience.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [13:23]
- “A lot of the politics of the political language is...perlocutionary, to use a linguistics term. It is intended to convey something to create effect in your audience.”
- On redefining “Zionism”: recognizes its complexity—both a colonial project in some dimensions and a genuine national return in others; calls for greater flexibility.
- “I've come to terms with accepting Zionism myself, not as a colonialist ideology, but as a kind of way of seeing things by Israelis...that can be actually made to be compatible with...Palestinian nationalism.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [15:06]
- “I've come to terms with accepting Zionism myself, not as a colonialist ideology, but as a kind of way of seeing things by Israelis...that can be actually made to be compatible with...Palestinian nationalism.”
Entrenched Narratives and the Role of Education
[15:59–17:42]
- Acknowledges increasing polarization but insists change is possible over time, advocating for philosophy in education at both individual and societal levels.
- “I don't personally separate between philosophy and education. I think one of the primary roles of philosophy is in education and education, not only on a one to one basis...but education in society.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [16:56]
- “I don't personally separate between philosophy and education. I think one of the primary roles of philosophy is in education and education, not only on a one to one basis...but education in society.”
Philosophical Reflections on Identity
[17:42–19:19]
- Identities (Palestinian, Zionist, Jewish, Muslim) are not fixed; they are molded and shaped.
- “I personally believe that something like, say, a Zionist identity or a Palestinian nationalist identity...is something that is not necessarily given, but is something that you can actually mold.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [18:16]
- “I personally believe that something like, say, a Zionist identity or a Palestinian nationalist identity...is something that is not necessarily given, but is something that you can actually mold.”
- The challenge: maintain “deep feelings” while also allowing for public identities that can co-exist peacefully.
Redefining Zionism and Palestinian Nationalism for Peace
[19:19–20:53]
- Peace achievable through mutual acceptance rather than denial of the other's core identity.
- “You do not make peace by denying entirely who the other is, but by accepting them to be the kind of person you are able to live side by side with as equals.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [20:10]
- “You do not make peace by denying entirely who the other is, but by accepting them to be the kind of person you are able to live side by side with as equals.”
- Highlights the possibility of the two-state solution as an example.
Friendship and Philosophical Dialogue Across Divides
[20:53–23:53]
- Long friendship with Israeli philosopher Avishai Margalit:
- Began with heated exchanges over respective national rights but evolved into deep mutual respect.
- “Day after day, meeting after meeting…the feelings change. …He was always senior to me and I often went to him...about a paper I'd written...he is someone I respect both as a human being and as a philosopher.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [21:49]
- Even in public debates during wars, maintained civil and productive philosophical conversations.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Philosophy can do things in that way, in the sense of challenging one's opinions, one's beliefs...making sure one knows what it is one wants...”
—Sari Nusseibeh [06:37] -
“You go one step further to see how you can therefore build bridges between yourself and the other based on the fact that you're both human beings. And that's very important, turning enemies into friends.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [08:02] -
“A lot of the politics of the political language is, in a sense, perlocutionary...”
—Sari Nusseibeh [13:23] -
“I've come to terms with accepting Zionism myself...as a kind of way of seeing things by Israelis...that can be actually made to be compatible with...Palestinian nationalism.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [15:06] -
“You do not make peace by denying entirely who the other is, but by accepting them to be the kind of person you are able to live side by side with as equals.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [20:10] -
“Philosophers can get above the emotion driven swordsmanship that exists at the level of politics.”
—Sari Nusseibeh [23:22]
Structurally Important Timestamps
- Early Life and Family: [01:02]
- Oxford and Wittgenstein Influence: [02:12]
- Philosophy's Continuity Across Cultures: [03:20]
- Quine as a Tutor: [04:41]
- Philosophy and Conflict: [05:34] onward
- Ethics of Negotiation: [08:53]
- Optimism Rooted in Philosophy: [11:03]
- Loaded Political Language: [12:46]–[15:59]
- Entrenched Narratives and Possibility for Change: [16:26]
- Identity as Constructed: [18:16]
- Redefining Zionism & Palestinian Nationalism: [19:38]–[20:53]
- Nusseibeh & Margalit Friendship: [21:02]
- Philosophers as Bridge Builders: [23:10]
Takeaways
- Philosophy’s transformative potential lies in questioning, empathy, and understanding across divides, as much as in formal argument.
- Language in conflict is both powerful and dangerous—terms carry histories and intentions that must be interrogated, not simply accepted.
- Personal relationships and dialogue—even among those with deeply divergent identities and narratives—can foster profound respect and mutual understanding.
- Cultural and political identities are not immutable; we must actively question and reshape them toward coexistence.
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