Helen Pluckrose, Editor of Aero magazine and co-author of 'Cynical Theories,' dives deep into the ideological roots of modern social justice activism. She discusses the transformation of radical ideas from French postmodernism into today's 'wokeness,' highlighting concepts like knowledge as a social construct and the dangers of cancel culture. Alongside host Helen Joyce, they critique the detrimental impact of these beliefs on marginalized communities and the urgency of fostering balanced discourse in journalism and academia.
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Cynical Theories
Cynical theories assume everything revolves around power imbalances.
They interpret society through this lens, neglecting other motivations like truth or collaboration.
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Postmodernism's Evolution
Postmodernism started as skepticism towards grand narratives but evolved into its own.
It now focuses on power dynamics, rejecting the pursuit of objective truth.
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Critical Race Theory's Approach
Critical Race Theory (CRT) posits that racism is inherent in all situations.
It prioritizes subjective interpretations of power dynamics over empirical evidence, like Robin DiAngelo's work.
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In this book, Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay document the evolution of postmodern thought from its origins in French postmodernism to its current applications in activist academic fields such as postcolonial theory, queer theory, critical race theory, and intersectionality. They argue that the unchecked proliferation of these ideas, which often assert that knowledge is a social construct, science and reason are tools of oppression, and language is dangerous, presents a significant threat to liberal democracy and modernity. The authors warn that these beliefs, while intended to address social injustices, often do more harm than good, particularly to the marginalized communities they aim to support.
In this week's episode Helen Pluckrose documents the evolution of the ideas that inform today's radical social justice activism, from its coarse origins in French postmodernism to its refinement within activist academic fields. Pluckrose argues this dogma is recognizable as much by its effects, such as cancel culture and social-media dogpiles, as by its tenets, which are all too often embraced as axiomatic in mainstream media: knowledge is a social construct; science and reason are tools of oppression; all human interactions are sites of oppressive power play; and language is dangerous. As Pluckrose and Lindsay warn, the unchecked proliferation of these anti-Enlightenment beliefs present a threat not only to liberal democracy but also to modernity itself.
While acknowledging the need to challenge the complacency of those who think a just society has been fully achieved, Pluckrose break down how this often-radical activist scholarship does far more harm than good, not least to those marginalized communities it claims to champion. The podcast was hosted by the writer and journalist Helen Joyce. You can find out more about the book here: https://amzn.to/3nu0jmw
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