Today's Events!
"The Politics of Structural Injustice": Maeve McKeown & Katrina Forrester; "Extremism and the Allure of Science": Tracy Llanera & Louise Richardson-Self
Event #1 Time: 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm UK
The Politics of Structural Injustice (co-hosted with Boston Review)
Maeve McKeown in conversation with Katrina Forrester
What is structural injustice, and who ultimately bears responsibility for it?
In this event, political theorist Maeve McKeown will explore how power and responsibility truly function in today’s world. Drawing on case studies from sweatshops to climate change, McKeown will help us shape a deeper, more sophisticated idea of how structural injustice operates and what we as individuals can do about it. What is the political responsibility of ordinary individuals? How can ordinary individuals with very little power pressure morally responsible, powerful agents to address structural injustice? Do we have the same responsibility for historical injustice as we do for that which we see in today’s world? This event aims for nothing less than a fundamental reassessment of the relationship between power, ordinary people, and responsibility for structural injustice. You can find out more and register here!
Event #2 Time: 4pm PT/7pm ET/9am (Tues) AET
Extremism and the Allure of Science
Tracy Llanera and Louise Richardson-Self in conversation with Anthony Morgan
Defining extremism turns out to be a tricky business. There are a host of traits associated with it, e.g., intolerance, rigidity and inflexibility, feelings of victimization, hate and anger towards particular outgroups, displeasure and fear about the state of the world or the direction it is headed, willingness to sacrifice oneself or others in the name of one’s ideals. Definitional problems aside, one notable feature of many extremist groups – from white supremacists to the alt-right – is the allure of scientific explanations in reinforcing their views. From biological essentialism to “natural” hierarchies, scientific findings are sought out to add substance to extremist arguments. This event will help us explore the boundaries between fact and fiction, science and pseudoscience. You can find out more and register here!