The Abolitionism-Reformism Spectrum; The Political Aesthetics of W. E. B. Dubois
A Conversation with Jason Warr; a webinar with Robert Gooding-Williams and Brandon Terry
Dear all,
Your Sunday Read
“The Abolitionism-Reformism Spectrum”
A Conversation with Jason Warr
The debate between prison reformists and prison abolitionists is raw and heavily politicised. This increases the risk of each side in the debate speaking past each other or criticising straw man versions of their opponents’ arguments. In this conversation with Andy West, criminologist Jason Warr offers an even-handed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of both positions, along with some reflections on the morality of punishment.You can read the interview here.
Monday Event: 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm UK/8pm CET
The Political Aesthetics of W. E. B. Dubois
Robert Gooding-Williams in conversation with Brandon Terry
What is beauty, and what is its political function? In what ways might it help undermine white supremacy and cultivate a more democratic political culture? Robert Gooding-Williams’ new book Democracy and Beauty shines a light on W. E. B. Du Bois’ attempts to answer these questions during the decade surrounding the First World War and, in so doing, offers a groundbreaking account of the philosopher’s aesthetics. In this event, Gooding-Williams will reconstruct Du Bois’ defense of the political potential of beauty to challenge oppressive systems and foster an inclusive democracy. White supremacy is a powerful force that defies rational revision, Du Bois argued, because it is rooted in the entrenched routines of its adherents. Beauty, however, has a distinctive role to play in the struggle against white supremacy. You can find out more and register here.
Event Recordings
If you missed the recent events on “The Ethics of De-Extinction” and “A Social History of Analytic Philosophy”, you can watch both recordings here:
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Wishing you all a lovely Sunday, wherever you are.
Elinor Potts
Managing Editor