"On Awkardness"

Today's event will explore the philosophy and moral psychology of awkwardness

Event Time: 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm UK/8pm CET
“On Awkwardness”
Alexandra Plakias in conversation with Anthony Morgan

In this event, Alexandra Plakias will offer an account of the psychology and philosophical significance of a ubiquitous social phenomenon: awkwardness. She will argue that our aversion to awkwardness mirrors our desire for inclusion, and that this explains its power to influence and silence us: as social creatures, we don’t want to mark ourselves as outsiders. As a result, our fear of awkwardness inhibits critique and conversation, acting as an impediment to moral and social progress. Even the act of describing people as “awkward” exacerbates existing inequities, by consigning them to a social status that gives them less access to the social goods (knowledge, confidence, social esteem) needed to navigate potentially awkward situations. You can find out more and register here.