The UnMute Podcast
Episode 69: Alice MacLachlan on Revenge
Sep 1, 2023
Alice MacLachlan, a Professor of Philosophy at York University, dives deep into the intricacies of revenge, justice, and repair. She argues that revenge can hold both noble and petty forms, urging for a nuanced understanding beyond black-and-white interpretations. The conversation explores how philosophical dialogues shape personal relationships and the moral landscape. They also touch on how artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift reclaim their narratives in songwriting, and examine the powerful intersection of rage and hope in poetry and literature.
55:09
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores how revenge can perpetuate cycles of harm and resentment, undermining moral satisfaction and resolution.
- A contrasting view suggests that revenge can foster accountability and moral reckoning when framed as a necessary step in repairing relationships.
Deep dives
Exploring the Concept of Revenge
Revenge is defined as an action taken to intentionally harm another individual perceived to have caused wrongful harm. The conversation presents various philosophical arguments against revenge, particularly its violent nature and propensity for escalation. Revenge often leads to cycles of resentment and continual harm, diminishing the possibility of resolution and moral satisfaction. The discussion further emphasizes that even a sanitized version of revenge does not eliminate its intrinsic moral wrongness, as it treats the victim's suffering merely as a means to achieve personal satisfaction.
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