Episode 20: The Malleus Maleficarum (part 2)
Incels and Modern Witch Hunts
The dark history of witch hunts has some unsettling parallels with modern misogynistic violence. Tonight’s episode continues our discussion on Heinrich Kramer’s witch-hunting manual, the “Malleus Maleficarum”, with a critical look at its legacy, especially as it relates to incel culture and the manosphere.
Last week, we discussed the cultural contexts surrounding the early modern witch hunts, particularly those inspired by the Malleus Maleficarum. Kramer, a Dominican monk, penned this treatise filled with misogynistic theories and fraudulent claims to build a case against women, whom he accused of forming pacts with Satan. Its widespread dissemination of this book, aided by the recent invention of the printing press, ignited a fervour of witch hunts across Europe and North America, leading to the execution of tens of thousands of people—mostly women.
There are chilling parallels between Heinrich Kramer’s war on women and the 2014 Isla Vista killings carried out by Elliot Rodger. Rodger’s violent rampage, which resulted in the deaths of six people and injuries to 14 others, was driven by deep-seated misogyny and a sense of entitlement. His manifesto, “My Twisted World,” echoed sentiments eerily similar to those in the Malleus Maleficarum, blaming women for his personal grievances and advocating for their subjugation.
Rodger’s involvement with online incel communities (involuntary celibates) provided a modern platform for his extremist views. These forums, part of the manosphere, which promotes misogynistic and often violent ideologies, helped radicalise Rodger and validated his belief that women were to blame for his failures.
The path to intended violence
To dig deeper into the parallels between Rodger and Kramer, this episode explores the “path to intended violence,” a theory describing the steps perpetrators of mass violence typically follow. Both Kramer and Rodger fit this model, starting with a personal grievance, escalating to the belief that violence is the solution, and culminating in meticulously planned attacks. This pattern underscores the deep-rooted and enduring nature of violent misogyny.
Hunters and howlers
In the context of violence, “howlers” and “hunters” represent two distinct types of participants. Howlers are individuals who incite fear and hysteria through their vocal accusations and public denunciations. They raise alarm and spread rumours to create a climate of fear and suspicion. Howlers often incite others to act, setting the stage for more direct forms of persecution. During the witch hunts, Kramer’s possible co-author, Jacob Sprenger, was a howler.
In contrast, hunters are the individuals who take direct action based on the hysteria and fear spread by the howlers. While they may also share the beliefs of the howlers, their role is more about implementing the resulting actions of the hysteria. hey were responsible for the trials, tortures, and executions that defined this dark period. Kramer, heavily involved in the trials of his time, was a hunter.
These roles continue to perpetuate misogyny and violence. Modern howlers include influential figures like certain ex-presidents, YouTubers, and online personalities who use their platforms to spread misogynistic ideologies, as well as social media users who incite online harassment campaigns against women or marginalised groups.
Modern hunters take direct action based on the incitement of howlers, such as participants in violent rallies, online harassers, or those who commit physical acts of violence. Extremists who carry out attacks inspired by the ideologies and rhetoric spread by influential howlers also fall into this category. They see themselves as defenders of a cause, justifying their actions through the lens of the fear and anger instilled by howlers.
The internet’s role in modern extremism
The episode closes with a discussion on the role of the internet in spreading and normalising hate. Social media platforms and online communities enable the rapid dissemination of extremist ideologies, creating echo chambers that amplify and validate misogynistic views. This accessibility and interactivity make the internet a powerful tool for radicalisation, much like the printing press in Kramer’s time.
Recognising and combating misogyny
The violent misogyny of the past is far from eradicated. It has evolved and adapted to modern platforms, continuing to pose a significant threat. Recognising these patterns and addressing the underlying beliefs about gender, power, and entitlement is crucial in preventing future violence.
Sources
Alana. (2018). Love Not Anger – Beyond Involuntary Celibacy. Love Not Anger.
Allely, C. S., & Faccini, L. (2017). “Path to intended violence” model to understand mass violence in the case of Elliot Rodger. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 37, 201–209.
Clack, B. (1999). Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger 1486. In B. Clack (Ed.), Misogyny in the Western Philosophical Tradition: A Reader (pp. 83–92). Routledge.
Cook, G. (2011, October 4). History and the Decline of Human Violence. Scientific American.
Witch-Burning, by Mary Elizabeth Counselman—A Project Gutenberg eBook
Witt, T. (2020). ‘If i cannot have it, i will do everything i can to destroy it.’ the canonization of Elliot Rodger: ‘Incel’ masculinities, secular sainthood, and justifications of ideological violence. Social Identities, 26(5), 675–689.