Catherine Liu, Rowan Williams, and Josh Cohen debate transgressive behaviour, the hypocrisy of liberal elites, and the abandonment of the working class.
Why has politics morphed into a song-and-dance of egos and shamelessness?
With a free trial, you can watch the full debate NOW at https://iai.tv/video/the-good-the-bad-the-transgressive?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description
"Every act of transgression weakens conscience," so was the view of many thinkers. And indeed, to this day, we typically see the transgressive — breaking rules, acting cruelly, and "being bad" — as unacceptable. But some argue its status is unknown and transgression might be necessary and desirable. Breaking rules with the intention to transgress is essential, they say, if we are to challenge authoritarian systems of thought. Recent research shows individuals express freedom and agency through breaking such norms. And whilst cruelty is universally condemned, studies have shown that people who cause harm and later reflect on their actions report an increased sense of moral awareness.
Should we accept that transgression is vital to a healthy culture central and necessary for humans to flourish? Or should we seek to remove transgressive behaviour from all public and private life? More radically, is it a mistake to talk of "right" or "wrong," "bad" or "wicked" in the first place, and should we instead abandon moral terms altogether?
#politics #society #philosophy #maga #economics #leftvsright
Rowan Williams, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, is a highly acclaimed theologian, writer, and pastor. Josh Cohen established himself as an academic in American literature and critical theory, before deciding to train as a psychoanalyst. Catherine Liu is a professor of Film and Media Studies at the University of California, Irvine, renowned for her incisive critiques of contemporary cultural and political dynamics. Hosted by Barry C. Smith.
The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! https://iai.tv/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=https://iai.tv/video/the-good-the-bad-the-transgressive
00:00 Academics are detached from reality
00:39 Americans feel abandoned by austerity, globalisation, and liberal institutions
05:03 Liberal elites, transgressive politics, and out-of-control egos
07:31 Analysing the civil rights movements of the 20th century
09:26 The rot at the heart of modern politics
12:07 Psychoanalysis and the role of rage in transgressive behaviour
For debates and talks: https://iai.tv
For articles: https://iai.tv/articles
For courses: https://iai.tv/iai-academy/courses