Emily McTernan

Emily McTernan, author of On Taking Offence, delves into the complexities of being offended in modern life. The podcast explores the power dynamics and social implications behind taking offense, the role of visible offense in driving social change, and the nuances of feeling offended in different settings like the classroom and societal discourse. It emphasizes the naturalness and importance of taking offense in social negotiation and democracy.

Emily McTernan, a researcher specializing in moral, political, and legal theory, discusses her book 'On Taking Offense.' She challenges the common belief that taking offense is morally and socially pernicious, instead arguing that it is an essential part of our moral and social repertoire. The podcast delves into topics such as the concept of social standing, limits on appropriate offense taking, the relationship between humor and offense, and the virtue of taking offense as a way of correcting social inequalities.