What's Left of Philosophy 99 | What is Dialectics? Part VI: From Explanation to Emancipation: Roy Bhaskar’s Critical Realism
Oct 14, 2024
Delve into Roy Bhaskar's critical realism, tackling the chasm between fact and value in the human sciences. Discover how knowledge can empower self-emancipation, especially amidst middle-class complacency. The conversation covers Spinoza’s insights on emotion and activism, exploring the interplay of trust and joy. The complexities of socialist movements are scrutinized, emphasizing the importance of working-class focus. Engaging philosophical discussions highlight the role of theory in fostering understanding and collective action.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Critical Realism and Explanation
- Bhaskar's critical realism posits that observable social phenomena are generated by underlying structures and mechanisms.
- Explaining these hidden mechanisms is crucial for understanding and changing social reality.
Housing Segregation Example
- An empiricist might attribute housing segregation to individual racism.
- Critical realism, however, would investigate underlying mechanisms like property values and social dynamics.
Emancipation from False Beliefs
- Bhaskar argues that if science reveals a false belief rooted in social mechanisms, we should be emancipated from that belief.
- Emancipation involves replacing oppressive sources of determination with empowering ones.