Debating the Blank Slate - Holly Lawford-Smith | Maiden Mother Matriarch 30
Sep 10, 2023
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Political philosopher and professor, Holly Lawford-Smith, discusses gender-critical feminism, the controversy surrounding the term 'TERF', and the debate on innate vs socialized differences between men and women. The podcast also explores the challenges of differing opinions, power dynamics, trans activism, and assumptions about male and female sexuality.
The podcast discusses the controversy surrounding the term 'TERF' and its connotations of violence and misogyny in the context of gender-critical feminism.
The episode explores the dominance of left-wing perspectives in academia and the potential reasons behind it, such as conservatives' focus on financial success.
The podcast touches on the evolving nature of gender critical feminism and the varying interpretations and definitions associated with the term.
Deep dives
The Debate Around the Term 'Turf'
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the term 'turf' and its usage. They talk about how the term can be seen as a slur by some people, while others may use it to describe themselves. The conversation delves into the history of the term, its association with trans activism, and its connotations of violence and misogyny. The speaker also explores the complexity of the term and its evolving meaning over time.
Conservatism and Liberalism in Academia
The podcast episode touches on the dominance of left-wing perspectives in academia and explores potential reasons for this disparity. The conversation suggests that conservatives may be more inclined towards pursuing careers outside of academia due to their focus on financial success. Additionally, the talk considers the differences in moral foundations between conservatives and liberals, with conservatives being more open to understanding and explaining liberal perspectives. The episode also raises the question of whether universities are truly left-dominated or if there is a widespread presence of rainbow washing.
The Current State of Gender Critical Feminism
The discussion highlights the evolving nature of gender critical feminism and the different interpretations and definitions associated with the term. It touches on the distinction between being critical of gender identity ideology and being critical of the concept of gender as a whole. The episode explores the divergent views within the gender critical movement, with some emphasizing the importance of sex-based rights and others advocating for a broader critique of gender roles. The conversation also addresses controversial issues such as sex change surgery and the ethical implications of medical interventions.
The Influence of Christianity on Victim Status
The podcast discusses how the cultural heritage of Christianity has influenced the importance placed on victim status. It explores how in the Christian worldview, victimhood is highly valued, leading individuals to compete for the role of the oppressed rather than the powerful. This mindset is also seen in feminist politics, where there is a tendency to embrace victimhood and lean into the complicity and responsibility of being oppressed. The podcast highlights the appeal of adopting the cultural role of the victim, as it allows individuals to avoid difficult decisions and evade responsibility. It also suggests that being in the role of the oppressed can actually wield significant power through activism.
The Dilemma of Hate Speech and Social Equality
The podcast delves into the complex issue of hate speech and its impact on social equality. It discusses the ongoing debate between free speech absolutism and considering the effects of hate speech on social equality. The speakers express uncertainty and conflicting views on whether to support hate speech legislation or oppose it. They reflect on the challenges of defining hate speech and determining the boundaries of acceptable speech, particularly in relation to gender and trans issues. The podcast also highlights the potential dangers of strengthening hate speech laws, as it can be used as a political tool to silence opponents and restrict freedom of expression. The speakers grapple with finding a balance between protecting marginalized groups and preserving individual liberties.
My guest today is Holly Lawford-Smith, a political philosopher and professor at the University of Melbourne. Her book Gender-Critical Feminism was published last year and caused some controversy at the time. Holly has also most recently publish a book Sex Matters: Essays on Gender-Critical philosophy. On the podcast we discussed gender-critical feminism and other kinds of feminist theory; whether or not ‘TERF’ is a slur, and in the extended episode we debated whether or not differences between men and women are innate or socialised. To listen to the extended version of this esisode, go to louiseperry.substack.com, where you can also find bonus episodes and the MMM chat community.
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