Modern Wisdom #124 - James Lindsay - Social Justice Explained: The Foundations Of Wokeness
Dec 5, 2019
James Lindsay, an author and researcher known for his insights into social justice and wokeness, dives deep into the origins and complexities of these movements. He discusses critical theory and its role in analyzing societal power dynamics, revealing how identity politics have evolved. Lindsay also tackles the ongoing culture wars between sciences and humanities and considers the potential future of social justice, highlighting internal conflicts among marginalized groups. His perspectives provide a thought-provoking look at the nuances of today’s political landscape.
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Critical Theory Defined
- Critical Theory views the world through power dynamics between groups, aiming to expose biases in systems created by the powerful.
- It seeks to dismantle these systems, often targeting those created by dominant groups like white, Western men.
Airplane Seat Analogy
- James Lindsay uses airplane seats as an example of how Critical Theory analyzes discomfort.
- A critical theorist might blame "thin normativity" for the design, ignoring practical considerations.
Malignant Social Justice
- Social Justice has shifted from accommodating those with extreme experiences to prioritizing them.
- This can lead to extreme views, like interpreting medical advancements for the deaf as a form of genocide.
