Sectors of the left have divided progressives in ways that undermine their goals. Wokeism is fashionable but it comes with large problems. A wise philosopher explains how.
Wow!! That was a powerful, tour de force! Only if Neiman’s critique of post-modern ideology could be found on CNN, MSNBC, or PBS. We might find our way out of the ideological mess we got ourselves into. Neiman’s delineation of how Foucault, among others, got us here is compelling. A banquet for thought.
One further thought - David Sloan Wilson, Evolution Biologist, Anthropologist argues against those who believe evolution theory must embrace egocentric motivational theories of human cooperation to explain how evolution works. Wilson was utterly alone in his work in the 70s. Today, perhaps owing in part to E O Wilson’s work on Prosociality, David Sloan Wilson’s work on Group Heredity vs Individual Heredity has gained prominence among Evolution Theorists. Neiman’s critique of evolutionary psychology may not require support from recent work on Prosociality role in shaping contemporary evolution theory but the target of her critique is diminished if not vanished. David Sloan Wilson’s work provokes thought on the underlying assumptions about Individualism, as a social theory construct, and how it affected the development of Evolutionary Theory in biology and cultural anthropology. More food for thought.
Jonathan Haight and Robert Sapolsky are two prominent scientists who advance David Sloan Wilson’s work in their own researches.
While I certainly agree about the primacy of reason and the dangers of tribalism, I have to disagree with the attack on wokeism. First, I define it differently. To me, and I suggest to the average non-academic, wokeism is the recognition of past wrongs to American blacks and women and the understanding that those wrongs continue to effect our society today. (A contention which I know, Joe, you’ll agree they do) In the political arena, the anti-wokeism of DeSantis and his ilk is extremely dangerous as it suggests that the true victims today are whites generally and Christian white men specifically. Talk about claiming victimhood! Neiman tips her hand when she says “the right may be more dangerous...” May?!!!
Of course, I agree that the left is more powerful when united. Ironically, I believe that attacking wokeism from the left is more destructive to unity than the woke left could ever be -- outside of academia, that is, where debates about the Enlightenment flourish and belong.
Wow!! That was a powerful, tour de force! Only if Neiman’s critique of post-modern ideology could be found on CNN, MSNBC, or PBS. We might find our way out of the ideological mess we got ourselves into. Neiman’s delineation of how Foucault, among others, got us here is compelling. A banquet for thought.
One further thought - David Sloan Wilson, Evolution Biologist, Anthropologist argues against those who believe evolution theory must embrace egocentric motivational theories of human cooperation to explain how evolution works. Wilson was utterly alone in his work in the 70s. Today, perhaps owing in part to E O Wilson’s work on Prosociality, David Sloan Wilson’s work on Group Heredity vs Individual Heredity has gained prominence among Evolution Theorists. Neiman’s critique of evolutionary psychology may not require support from recent work on Prosociality role in shaping contemporary evolution theory but the target of her critique is diminished if not vanished. David Sloan Wilson’s work provokes thought on the underlying assumptions about Individualism, as a social theory construct, and how it affected the development of Evolutionary Theory in biology and cultural anthropology. More food for thought.
Jonathan Haight and Robert Sapolsky are two prominent scientists who advance David Sloan Wilson’s work in their own researches.
Just saw this interview with the author: https://quillette.com/2023/05/28/an-interview-with-susan-neiman/
I read your review twice now and agree with so much. You express well what many think but can’t articulate as well as you can. I will get her book.
While I certainly agree about the primacy of reason and the dangers of tribalism, I have to disagree with the attack on wokeism. First, I define it differently. To me, and I suggest to the average non-academic, wokeism is the recognition of past wrongs to American blacks and women and the understanding that those wrongs continue to effect our society today. (A contention which I know, Joe, you’ll agree they do) In the political arena, the anti-wokeism of DeSantis and his ilk is extremely dangerous as it suggests that the true victims today are whites generally and Christian white men specifically. Talk about claiming victimhood! Neiman tips her hand when she says “the right may be more dangerous...” May?!!!
Of course, I agree that the left is more powerful when united. Ironically, I believe that attacking wokeism from the left is more destructive to unity than the woke left could ever be -- outside of academia, that is, where debates about the Enlightenment flourish and belong.
Great analysis of a complex issue.