What's Left of Philosophy 93 TEASER | Charles Mills and the Racial Contract
Jul 16, 2024
The discussion revolves around Charles Mills' provocative insights on race within social contract theory. It challenges the notion of egalitarianism by exposing its ties to white supremacy. The tension between liberal ideals and the harsh realities of racism is scrutinized, revealing the complexities of modern liberalism. Historical interpretations from significant philosophers are evaluated, alongside the transformative effects of the racial contract on identity. The episode poses critical questions about whether genuine progress toward abolishing whiteness is feasible.
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Complex Registers of Mills' Critique
- Charles Mills's critique of liberalism holds different registers, including an anthropological analysis that shows the racial contract's reality.
- His work challenges liberalism to integrate race while questioning the ideological limits of ideal theory.
Mills' Strategy on Liberalism
- The racial contract tacitly normalizes white supremacy while espousing liberal ideals of equality and freedom.
- Mills is strategic, adopting liberal language to gain influence while highlighting systemic racial realities.
Subjective Change from Racial Contract
- The racial contract transforms subjects to uphold white supremacy, showing a profound subjective change akin to Rousseau's civil society metamorphosis.
- Mills suggests overcoming this requires more than legal reform, possibly a deep moral or spiritual reformation of subjectivity.
