The Good Fight
Noam Chomsky on Identity Politics, Free Speech, and China (from 2021)
Dec 28, 2024
In a thought-provoking conversation, Noam Chomsky, professor emeritus of linguistics and a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, joins Yascha Mounk to delve into pressing issues. They explore the theory of universal grammar and how it relates to our understanding of language and cognition. Chomsky critiques identity politics within the left, emphasizing the need for unity in struggles against systemic oppression. The discussion also tackles the intricacies of free speech and cancel culture, and Chomsky addresses the ethical challenges posed by China's rise and U.S. foreign policies.
55:08
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Quick takeaways
- Chomsky argues that while identity politics have significant merit, they risk overshadowing traditional class-based leftist principles in contemporary movements.
- The discussion highlights the importance of cooperation with global powers like China to address urgent issues like climate change and pandemics.
Deep dives
Universal Grammar and Human Nature
The conversation delves into Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, which asserts a unique linguistic faculty inherent in humans. This faculty allows infants to swiftly acquire language, regardless of their cultural background, challenging the notion of a 'blank slate' where culture solely dictates language acquisition. Chomsky emphasizes that all humans share this built-in capacity for language, which imposes limits on how language can vary across cultures. The discussion highlights the implications of universal grammar on understanding human nature and the constraints it suggests regarding psychological variation.
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