The Philosophy of Mikhail Bakhtin with Ken Hirschkop
May 4, 2022
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In this podcast, Ken Hirschkop, Professor of English Language and Literature, discusses the work of Mikhail Bakhtin, focusing on topics such as language, empathy, communication, and the challenges faced by marginalized writers. They also explore Bakhtin's views on transcendence, his religious beliefs, and the historical and philosophical context surrounding his work. Additionally, Ken shares insights into their upcoming book project that critiques the code model of language and includes perspectives from different disciplines.
True empathy involves recognizing and responding to the suffering or needs of others, according to Bachtin's ethical philosophy.
Language is inherently bound up with social and political struggles, and context plays a crucial role in understanding and using language.
Laughter and carnival in literature provide expressions of liberation, release, and subversion, challenging dominant ideologies and offering alternative perspectives.
Deep dives
Concept of the "eye for myself" and the "other for me"
According to Bachtin, there is a fundamental split between the way individuals experience their own desires, feelings, and utterances (the "eye for myself") and the way they experience the desires, feelings, and utterances of others (the "other for me"). This split is central to ethical behavior, as it allows individuals to empathize and sympathize with others. However, Bachtin argues that true empathy is not possible because individuals cannot actually feel the emotions of others. Instead, empathy involves recognizing and responding to the suffering or needs of others. Bachtin draws a parallel between his ethical philosophy and Christ's teachings, suggesting that loving others and helping them is integral to ethical action. He also implies that the possibility of this love and redemption is grounded in a divine figure.
Context and the Critique of Contextless Language
Bachtin critiques the concept of contextless language, which views language as a formal system that people learn and deploy in utterances. He argues that language is inherently bound up with social and political struggles and that context plays a crucial role in understanding and using language. By recognizing the importance of context and rejecting the idea of a fixed and contextless language, individuals can engage in responsible and meaningful communication.
Role of Laughter and Seriousness in Literary Critique
Bachtin emphasizes the significance of laughter and seriousness in literary critique. He suggests that the roots of the novel lie in the popular culture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, particularly in the concept of carnival. Bachtin sees laughter and carnival as expressions of liberation, release, and subversion, while seriousness aligns with oppressive and authoritarian forces. By embracing humor and playful subversion, literature can challenge dominant ideologies and offer alternative perspectives.
Bachtin's View on Language in Context vs. Davidson's Empiricist Approach
Bachtin and Davidson have different perspectives on language in context. Bachtin believes that language is active and reaches outwards, existing beyond denoting objects and talking about the world. He sees language as something in context, with discourse living outside itself. Davidson, on the other hand, is interested in how people communicate in specific situations. He thinks that understanding language requires developing theories about what others mean, matching those theories for understanding to occur.
Bachtin's View on Language as Active and Intentional
Bachtin sees language as always aspiring and reaching outwards, with its meaning derived from being part of a social world and social action. He argues that language has an intentionality that can only be fully understood in the context in which it is used. He exemplifies this idea by discussing language use that seeks to represent language as a voice through novelistic writing, while language that represses this intentional aspect is referred to as "novels." Bachtin's philosophy of language is part of his larger messianic social project, emphasizing the transformative potential of language and its role in ethical behavior.
This week I'm joined by Ken Hirschkop who is a professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo. In this episode we discuss the work of Mikhail Bakhtin, alongside discussions on Donald Davidson, language, empathy, communication and more...
Ken's latest book on Bakhtin: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cambridge-Introduction-Mikhail-Introductions-Literature/dp/1107521092/ref=sr_1_2?crid=M9EC7LRTT0D1&keywords=bahktin&qid=1647519516&sprefix=bahtin%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-2
