The Good Fight

Kwame Anthony Appiah on the Right—and Wrong—Way for Universities to Handle Identity

Apr 20, 2024

01:07:03

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British-Ghanaian philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah discusses the shift from common humanity to identitarianism in universities. They explore how to respect diversity without letting it dominate interactions and emphasize faculty as agents of change. The conversation delves into fostering social cohesion, navigating identity in universities, and empowering faculty in governance.

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Quick takeaways

Universities should prioritize common humanity over identitarianism for healthy interactions.

Identity labels should be seen as negotiable, not fixed, to promote understanding.

Productive identity politics focus on shared disadvantages, not divisive exceptions.

Deep dives

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Since 2018, 38 states have legalized sports betting, creating a vast industry. The podcast delves into the downsides of this widespread legalization, including potential addiction issues. The recent case involving a Japanese superstar and a sports betting scandal highlights the need for a discussion on regulation. The speaker underscores the importance of examining the assumptions behind the legalization of sports betting and engaging in a broader dialogue on the future of American sports.

Introduction

4min

Exploring Identity and Communication in Universities

2min

Evolution of Perspectives on Diversity and Identity

25min

Exploring Identity Politics and Inclusion under Universal Rules

4min

Fostering National Identity and Social Cohesion

9min

Navigating Identity and Values in University Settings

15min

Empowering Faculty in University Governance

5min

Yascha Mounk and Kwame Anthony Appiah discuss cultivating thick identities (and thick skins).

Kwame Anthony Appiah is a British-Ghanaian philosopher, Professor of Philosophy and Law and New York University, and the “Ethicist” columnist for The New York Times Magazine.

In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Kwame Anthony Appiah discuss why universities discarded an ethic of common humanity for a new form of identitarianism; how we can recognize and respect individual and cultural diversity without making it the main factor in our interactions; and why faculty must be agents for the change they wish to see in universities.

This conversation is part of the Persuasion series “Universities, Diversity, and Democracy,” a new collection of podcasts and essays, featuring leading voices in higher education, that explores how universities can pursue truth in the spirit of philosophical liberalism and in pursuit of social progress. This series is made possible by the generous support of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations.

This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarit y .

Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight.

If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone.

Email: podcast@persuasion.community

Website: http://www.persuasion.community

Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry

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Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion

Youtube: Yascha Mounk

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The Good Fight

Kwame Anthony Appiah on the Right—and Wrong—Way for Universities to Handle Identity

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Future of American Sports Betting: A Conversation on Regulation

The Role and Relevance of Identity in Contemporary Society

Navigating Identity Politics and the Complexities of Inclusion

The Power of National Identity

Challenges in University Discourse

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
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Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
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Discover
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The Good Fight

Kwame Anthony Appiah on the Right—and Wrong—Way for Universities to Handle Identity

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Future of American Sports Betting: A Conversation on Regulation

The Role and Relevance of Identity in Contemporary Society

Navigating Identity Politics and the Complexities of Inclusion

The Power of National Identity

Challenges in University Discourse

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
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