HoP 442 - Scott Williams on Disability and the New World
Mar 31, 2024
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Philosophy of disability expert Scott Williams discusses the modern philosophy of disability, its impact on societal structures, and its relevance to the European encounter with the Americas. Topics include contrasting medical and social models of defining disability, historical perspectives on disability, and the exploration of John Mayer's views on conquest and natural slavery.
Disability is not solely individual-based but also influenced by societal structures, as portrayed in the social model.
Debates in philosophy of disability vary on defining disability and its impact on health and well-being.
Historical encounters between Europeans and Americans offer insights on disability discourse and personhood definitions.
Deep dives
Evolution of Philosophy of Disability
The podcast delves into the evolution of the philosophy of disability, tracing its roots in social movements of the 20th century. It contrasts the medical model, viewing disability as residing within an individual, with the social model, which identifies disability as a result of social structures hindering individuals. The discussion highlights the shift towards advocating for societal changes benefiting those with disabilities, exemplified by the Americans with Disabilities Act in the U.S. Hybrid models merging medical and social perspectives have emerged to address the complexity of disability experiences.
Definitional Debates and Health Connections
The episode explores ongoing debates within the philosophy of disability regarding defining disability and its relationship to health and well-being. Philosophers grapple with whether disability universally lowers health or well-being, or if its impact depends on individual contexts. The complexity of disability experiences is emphasized, with the recognition that people with the same diagnosis may perceive their disability differently. The discussion highlights the challenges of creating general definitions that apply to all disability cases.
Historical Encounters and Philosophy of Disability
The conversation transitions to the historical encounter between Europeans and Americans, drawing connections to the philosophy of disability. The discussion examines how misinterpretations of Aristotle's ideas on natural slavery led to justifying mistreatment of indigenous populations in the New World. The episode sheds light on how historical texts and figures can inform contemporary reflections on disability, emphasizing the importance of understanding past perspectives to enrich current discourse.
Disability and Personhood in History
The podcast touches on the intersection of disability and personhood in historical philosophical contexts, particularly in medieval philosophy. It explores the significance of defining personhood in shaping moral judgments and ethical theories. The episode underscores the need to consider historical definitions and understandings of personhood to evaluate the ethical implications of cognitive abilities and human rights across different historical periods.
Philosophical Insights Exchange
The episode concludes by advocating for a symbiotic relationship between the philosophy of disability and the history of philosophy. By integrating insights from both fields, scholars can deepen their understanding of historical texts, enrich contemporary philosophical discussions on disability, and recognize diverse approaches to issues such as moral equality and cognitive disabilities. The importance of contextualizing historical perspectives and appreciating different philosophical strategies in addressing disability-related debates is reiterated.
In this interview we learn about the main issues in modern-day philosophy of disability, and the relevance of this topic for the European encounter with the Americas.
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