Daniel Tutt is a Professor in the Philosophy Department at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. who specializes in psychoanalysis and continental philosophy, including Marxist theory. ¹ He previously taught at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia and in the Washington, D.C. jail. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the Global Center for Advanced Studies. ^{2 3}

He is also involved in film projects that seek to promote sympathy towards Muslims; his 2016 project Insurrections cast a sympathetic light on both violent and non-violent demonstrations. ⁴ He is a prominent figure in the academic field of continental philosophy and a self-described socialist. ⁵

Continental Philosophy

Continental philosophy is a term that emerged in the 19th century to distinguish philosophers operating in Central Europe (the “continent”) from those operating in Britain. While traditional – or analytic – philosophers tend to focus on the logical connections between assertions, continental philosophers focus on context and history surrounding philosophical questions. Examples of influential analytic philosophers include John Locke, David Hume, and John Stuart Mill. Influential continental philosophers include G.W.F. Hegel, the father of “German idealism”; Karl Marx; and Michel Foucault. ^{6 7}

Books

Tutt is the author of Psychoanalysis and the Politics of the Family, a Marxist analysis of the family, particularly working-class families. It asserts many family problems can be traced back to economic struggles. ⁸ Tutt also says that “family spirit” is an invention of the bourgeoisie class, and that working class people often aspire to that ideal, even if it is not in their best interest. ⁹

In discussing the book on Marxist podcast No Easy Answers, Tutt said, “Bourgeois family stands as the kind of limited and contradictory family … .to create kind of one standard that not everyone can attain.” ¹⁰

As of 2024, his newest book is How to Read Like a Parasite: How the Left Got High on Nietzsche, advertised as a “how-to guide for the left on how to overcome Nietzsche’s divisive and damaging influence.” The book includes case studies of socialist author Jack London ¹¹ and Black Panther Party founder Huey Newton. ¹²

Films

Tutt is director of programs and producer for Unity Productions Foundation, a group that produces films to promote peace and increase acceptance of Muslims and other minority religious groups. ¹³ In an interview at George Washington University, Tutt expressed interest in looking at activist movements both from the top down and the bottom up, encouraging religious leaders to understand those “bottom up” movements better. ¹⁴

Tutt created a film in 2016 called Insurrections, featuring a positive view of protest movements around the world like Occupy Wall Street, Black Lives Matter, and those promoted by Marxist agitator James “Fergie” Chambers. ¹⁵ The film features quotes from other Marxist philosophers, including Richard Gilman-Opasky of the University of Illinois who has said of rioting that “A society that expresses itself in moments of solidarity…is a good thing.” In an interview preceding the release of the film’s trailer, Tutt credited Alain Badiou, who Marxist publication on Jacobin called “The World’s Leading Philosopher of Communism,” with the intellectual framework for the film. ^{16 17 16}

1. “Daniel Tutt”. Department of Philosophy, George Washington University. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://philosophy.columbian.gwu.edu/daniel-tutt
2. “The Global Center for Advanced Studies.” https://gcas.ie/. Accessed February 1, 2024.
3. “Research”. Daniel Tutt. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://danieltutt.com/research/
4. “Insurrections Film”. Facebook. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/insurrectionsfilm
5. Daniel Tutt on X. “Bio”. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://twitter.com/DanielTutt
6. “Continental Philosophy.” Britannica. Accessed February 5, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/continental-philosophy
7. Locke: Epistemology.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Accessed February 5th, 2024. https://iep.utm.edu/locke-ep/
8. Daniel Tutt. “The Political is Personal”. Daniel Tutt. January 2, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://danieltutt.com/2023/01/02/the-political-is-personal/
9. Daniel Tutt. “Preface and Key Concepts from my book Psychoanalysis and the Politics of the Family.” April 4, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://danieltutt.com/2022/04/04/preface-and-key-concepts-from-my-book-psychoanalysis-and-the-politics-of-the-family/
10. “No Easy Answers Podcast on X: “NEW EPISODE ‘Psychoanalysis and the Politics of the Family’…” March 30, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://twitter.com/NoEasyAnswerPod/status/1641337770927898625
11. Owen Clayton. “The Many Sides of Jack London.” Open Democracy. November 25, 2016. Accessed February 5, 2024. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/many-sides-of-jack-london/
12. “How to Read Like a Parasite: Why the Left Got High on Nietzsche.” Repeater Books. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://repeaterbooks.com/product/how-to-read-like-a-parasite-why-the-left-got-high-on-nietzsche/
13. ^[1] “About”. Unity Productions Foundation. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://www.upf.tv/about-upf/
14. ^[1] “A Discussion with Daniel Tutt, Director of Outreach and Educational Programs, Unity Productions Foundation, and Lecturer, Marymount University and George Mason University, Washington D.C.” Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. February 23, 2018. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion-with-daniel-tutt-director-of-outreach-and-educational-programs-unity-productions-foundation-and-lecturer-marymount-university-and-george-mason-university-washington-d-c
15. ^[1] “Insurrections Film.” Facebook. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/insurrectionsfilm
16. “An Interview with Dr. Daniel Tutt about his GCAS Series, “Badiou and Philosophy”. GCAS-The Blog. January 11, 2015. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://gcasblog.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/an-interview-with-dr-daniel-tutt-about-his-gcas-series-badiou-philosophy/
17. Caitlyn Lesiuk. “Alain Badiou is the World’s Leading Philosopher of Communism.” Jacobin. February 18, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://jacobin.com/2023/02/alain-badiou-philosophy-communism-mathematics-revolutionary-politics