Noëlle McAfee

Noëlle McAfee, a Professor of Philosophy at Emory University, discusses her book, exploring how fears of societal breakdown affect democracy. She highlights the challenges of emotional engagement in political discourse and the necessity of embracing uncertainty. McAfee emphasizes the importance of honest communication in fostering intimacy and bridging divides, while also tackling the psychological relief that comes from overcoming fear and demonization. Additionally, she critiques traditional psychoanalytic theories surrounding mourning and its chaotic intertwining with human destructiveness.

Guest Noëlle McAfee, Chair of the Philosophy Department at Emory University, discusses civil disobedience, political dialogue, and the crackdown on student activism on American campuses. They explore the roots of disobedience, the importance of activism in democracy, and the relationship between legal protest and political change.

Noëlle McAfee, a philosophy professor and psychoanalytic studies director at Emory University, delves into the intersection of psychoanalysis and politics. She discusses the significance of speaking over writing in psychoanalysis, emphasizing democracy's demand for tolerating differences and uncertainties. McAfee explores how emotional resistance affects political discourse and the complexities of engaging with opposing views. By analyzing concepts like mourning, aggression, and ideological divides, she highlights the psychological dimensions influencing our democratic practices.