Elizabeth Anderson, a prominent philosopher and professor at the University of Michigan, delves into the complexities of equality and the impact of socioeconomic status on fairness. She examines how inequality shapes opportunities and the morality of current capitalist structures. The conversation challenges the myth of job market freedom and critiques the notion of 'private government' in workplaces. Anderson advocates for a broader understanding of social justice and the significance of empathy in addressing these issues, while promoting the idea of a leisure society.
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insights INSIGHT
Ideology as Social Map
Ideology is a practical model of the social world, used for navigation.
Not inherently bad, it helps filter information and guide actions.
insights INSIGHT
Ideologies: Necessary but Fallible
Ideologies are necessary for filtering infinite stimuli, but can be negative.
They cause us to miss or misunderstand parts of the social world, leading to unjust actions.
insights INSIGHT
Empathy's Power
Empathy has natural objects like suffering and joy, not social categories.
Empathy can overcome ideological biases by focusing on shared human experiences.
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In 'Private Government', Elizabeth Anderson critiques the contemporary workplace as a coercive and hierarchical institution, often likened to authoritarian regimes. She argues that despite the rhetoric of market freedom, workers are frequently subjected to oppressive conditions with little autonomy. Anderson proposes reforms to make workplaces more accountable and democratic, including exit rights, rule of law constraints, constitutional rights, and worker voice in decision-making.
Bullshit Jobs
A Theory
David Graeber
In 'Bullshit Jobs: A Theory', David Graeber argues that a significant portion of jobs in modern society are meaningless and contribute little to no value. He categorizes these jobs into five types: flunkies, goons, duct tapers, box tickers, and taskmasters. Graeber contends that these jobs are not only inefficient but also psychologically destructive, leading to chronic misery and social divisions. The book is based on his 2013 essay 'On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs' and includes testimonials from workers who feel their jobs are pointless. Graeber suggests solutions such as unions and universal basic income to address the issue of meaningless work.
Against Empathy
The Case for Rational Compassion
Paul Bloom
In 'Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion,' Paul Bloom challenges the conventional wisdom that empathy is a moral guide. He argues that empathy, defined as feeling what others feel, is a capricious and irrational emotion that can lead to poor decision-making and even cruelty. Bloom contends that empathy distorts our judgment in various aspects of life, from philanthropy and justice to medical care and education. He advocates for a more distanced compassion based on rational, deliberative reasoning and a utilitarian approach to moral decisions. The book is grounded in scientific findings and explores the limitations and biases of empathy, suggesting that clearer, fairer, and more moral decisions can be made without relying on it.
Imagine two people with exactly the same innate abilities, but one is born into a wealthy family and the other is born into poverty. Or two people born into similar circumstances, but one is paralyzed in a freak accident in childhood while the other grows up in perfect health. Is this fair? We live in a society that values some kind of “equality” — “All men are created equal” — without ever quite specifying what we mean. Elizabeth Anderson is a leading philosopher of equality, and we talk about what really matters about this notion. This leads to down-to-earth issues about employment and the work ethic, and how it all ties into modern capitalism. We end up agreeing that a leisure society would be great, but at the moment there’s plenty of work to be done.
Elizabeth Anderson received a Ph.D. in philosophy from Harvard University. She is currently the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and John Dewey Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy and Women’s Studies at the University of Michigan. Among her honors are the MacArthur Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was named by Prospect magazine as one of the top 50 thinkers of the Covid-19 era.
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 
