Modern Wisdom #331 - Michael Knowles - The Problem With Political Correctness
Jun 7, 2021
Michael Knowles, a sharp political commentator and author, dives into the tricky waters of political correctness. He argues that while the intent might be noble, it often leads to intolerance disguised as tolerance. Knowles discusses the risk of free speech advocates needing to restrict speech to preserve it and compares today’s society to Huxley’s 'Brave New World' rather than Orwell’s '1984.' He critiques the impact of inclusive language on culture and examines the growing cultural tensions between the UK and America. A thought-provoking exploration of language, identity, and modern dilemmas.
01:27:09
The PC Trap
- Politically Correct (PC) speech attempts to change reality by redefining words.
- This creates a trap where any reaction, either giving in or resisting, strengthens PC.
Justified Censorship
- Some censorship is necessary because certain kinds of speech undermine speech itself.
- For example, fraud undermines trust in speech, and obscenity undermines freedom.
Euphemism Treadmill
- The term "justice-involved youth" replaces "young criminal," changing our perception of their actions.
- Similarly, "unhoused" replaces "homeless," shifting blame and obscuring personal responsibility.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
The Language of Political Correctness
03:00 • 21min
The Retreat to the Inner Citadel: Reframing Reality
24:16 • 4min
The Impact of Political Correctness
27:48 • 27min
Cultural Divergence: History and Identity in the UK and America
54:26 • 4min
The Language of Inclusivity and Cultural Symbols
58:40 • 3min
Dystopias and the Modern Condition
01:01:51 • 28min
The Virtue of Nationalism
Yoram Hazony
In 'The Virtue of Nationalism,' Yoram Hazony presents a case for the nation-state as the optimal form of government, emphasizing its role in protecting personal and collective freedom.
He argues that nationalism, based on bonds of mutual loyalty to a shared culture and history, provides social cohesion and trust necessary for civil and political liberties.
Hazony contrasts nationalism with both historical empires and modern forms of global governance, such as the United Nations, which he sees as imposing a universal standard that is intolerant of cultural differences.
The book explores the historical roots of nationalism, particularly in the context of English, Dutch, and American Protestantism, and argues that a world of independent nations is more conducive to peace and freedom than a globalist or imperialist system.
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy.
The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom.
The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State.
The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.
Paradise Lost
John Milton
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden.
The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights.
Why Liberalism Failed
Patrick J. Deneen
In 'Why Liberalism Failed,' Patrick J. Deneen critiques both classical liberalism (often called libertarianism) and progressive/modern liberalism.
He argues that liberalism has created contradictions such as fostering material inequality despite advocating for equal rights, discouraging civic commitments in favor of privatism, and giving rise to a comprehensive state system while pursuing individual autonomy.
Deneen contends that liberalism's success is generating its own failure, leading to issues like income inequality, cultural decline, atomization, and the erosion of freedoms.
The book examines the outcomes of the growth of the state, the construction of the free market, and the effects of technology on freedoms and culture.
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Repressive Tolerance
Herbert Marcuse
Speechless
Controlling Words, Controlling Minds
Michael J. Knowles
In 'Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds,' Michael Knowles argues that political correctness has undermined traditional values and free speech in American society.
He contends that the concept of political correctness has its roots in Marxist and Maoist ideologies and has been used to control language and thought.
Knowles criticizes both the Left for its assault on liberty and virtue and the Right for its ineffectiveness in countering these trends.
He advocates for a moral and political vision that upholds traditional standards and challenges the prevailing woke culture.
The book explores historical and philosophical contexts, including the role of censorship and the distortion of language, to make a case for a more robust defense of free speech and traditional values.
The Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters is a Christian apologetic novel written in a satirical, epistolary style.
It consists of 31 letters from Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to 'Our Father Below' (the Devil), to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon tasked with securing the damnation of an ordinary young man.
The letters provide advice on various methods of undermining God's influence and promoting abandonment of God, while offering insights into human nature and the Bible.
The book is a profound and striking narrative on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil, highlighting the subtle forms of sin such as vanity, pride, and distraction that can lead humans away from God.
Harrison Bergeron
Kurt Vonnegut
Set in the year 2081, 'Harrison Bergeron' is a dystopian short story that critiques the concept of enforced equality.
In this future, the government mandates that everyone must be equal in every way, using handicaps to prevent anyone from being smarter, stronger, or more attractive than others.
The story follows Harrison Bergeron, a 14-year-old genius who rebels against these oppressive laws by breaking into a TV studio, removing his handicaps, and briefly showcasing his true abilities before being silenced by the Handicapper General.
The narrative explores themes of individual freedom, conformity, and the dangers of an overly controlling government.
The decline of the West
Oswald Spengler
Letter Concerning Toleration
Letter Concerning Toleration
John Locke
In 'A Letter Concerning Toleration,' John Locke argues that the government should not interfere in matters of religion and that church and state should be separate entities.
Written in 1685 while Locke was in exile in Holland, the letter was published in 1689 in both English and Latin.
Locke advocates for religious toleration, suggesting that persecution and punishment cannot secure consent to a state religion and that it is in the best interest of the state to allow people to worship as they please.
However, he does not extend this toleration to Catholics, atheists, or other groups that he believed could pose a threat to the state.
The letter was influential during a time of significant religious persecution and contributed to the broader discourse on religious freedom and the role of the state in religious matters.
The Unbroken Thread
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Sorabjhan
Michael Knowles is a political commentator, podcaster, and an author.
Ostensibly, political correctness is the right thing to do if you're a responsible human that is respectful of other people's emotions.
Encouraging people to be mindful and precise of the words they use makes sense. But demanding for tolerance becomes undermined when the people doing the demanding are overbearing and intolerant. It’s like punching people in the name of peace. Something is obviously amiss...
Expect to learn why people who respect free speech may need to restrict free speech, how political correctness lays a trap for everyone, whether Michael thinks we're closer to a Brave New World or 1984, his thoughts on Steven Crowder's situation and much more...
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