PsychologySeptember 1, 2026
hauntology
hawn-TOL-uh-jee
Definition
A philosophical concept that describes the persistent influence of the past—specifically, past ideas, events, or lost futures—that continue to 'haunt' the present, refusing to be fully relegated to history.
Etymology
The term is a portmanteau of 'haunt' and 'ontology' (the philosophical study of being), coined by French philosopher Jacques Derrida in his 1993 book 'Specters of Marx' to describe the way the past remains present in cultural and political life.
In the news
The author uses 'hauntology' as a framework for understanding how catastrophic events and the voices of the past continue to shape our present-day responsibility and justice, rather than being neatly resolved or forgotten.
The Blogs: Raphael Zagury-Orly Interview
Read the full article ↗The Times of Israel