The Dispatch Podcast
Going After Harvard Corp. | Interview: Harvey Mansfield
Jan 2, 2024
Harvey Mansfield, political philosopher and former Harvard professor, discusses the academic roots of wokeness, plagiarism accusations against Harvard's president, Trump vs. Biden, campaigns against grade inflation, and his admiration for Abraham Lincoln and influential books.
38:00
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Quick takeaways
- 'Woke' culture on college campuses rejects the concept of fixed nature and promotes self-identity, influenced by feminism.
- Harvard University is dominated by progressive individuals who promote 'Woke' ideology, and change requires political pressure and alumni engagement.
Deep dives
The Rise of Woke Culture on College Campuses
Professor Harvey Mansfield discusses the prevalence of 'Woke' culture on college campuses, describing it as a political ideology that rejects the idea of a given nature or definition. He highlights how feminism influenced this ideology by challenging the notion that women have a fixed nature, arguing that individuals can define their own identities. Mansfield notes that this ideology dominates prestigious universities like Harvard and emphasizes the need for students to be reeducated upon entering college. He also mentions the challenge of combating this ideology, given its stronghold in university administrations, and suggests that alumni pressure and political involvement may be effective strategies to counter it.
