

Jarrett Zigon, "How Is It Between Us?: Relational Ethics and Care for the World" (HAU Books, 2023)
Dec 17, 2024
Jarrett Zigon, a social theorist and professor at the University of Virginia, presents a groundbreaking theory of relational ethics in his new book. He discusses how ethical principles need reevaluation in today's post-truth world, where algorithms and climate crises complicate moral decisions. Zigon emphasizes the importance of 'the between'—the connections that shape relationships—not just among humans but with non-humans too. His reflections on literature and experiences, alongside navigating societal moral crises, urge us to rethink engagement, truth, and justice in an increasingly interconnected world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Dostoevsky's Influence
- Jarrett Zigon's interest in ethics started with reading Dostoevsky.
- Reading "Crime and Punishment" was a life-changing experience.
Choosing Anthropology
- Jarrett Zigon chose anthropology over philosophy to study ethics in real-world settings.
- He was encouraged by Talal Asad to pursue the anthropology of ethics, a then-nascent field.
Fieldwork and Ethics
- Jarrett Zigon's fieldwork approach involves taking his interlocutors' ethical views as seriously as philosophical texts.
- He compares his interlocutor's description of ethical dilemmas to Heidegger's hammer.