Thinking Freely in a Conflicted World
What is Gender Theory?
This video lesson examines how cultural gender norms shape identity, questioning whether a girl who prefers dinosaurs or a boy who likes pink can still embrace their gender, as philosopher Judith Butler argues that gender identity transcends biological sex.
What is Wisdom?
Philosopher Judith Butler argues that true wisdom lies in recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge and embracing humility, emphasizing that philosophy involves questioning our beliefs and understanding diverse perspectives on life’s fundamental issues.
How Can We Engage in Civil Discourse?
In her video lesson, philosopher Judith Butler emphasizes that productive civil discourse requires understanding opposing views rather than shutting them down, advocating for respectful conversations that enhance mutual understanding, even when faced with disturbing ideas.
What is Gender?
Emma Watson advocates for viewing gender as a spectrum rather than a binary, a perspective supported by Judith Butler's theory, which emphasizes the fluidity of gender identity shaped by societal norms, cultural influences, and historical contexts.
How Can We Think About Gender?
Philosopher Judith Butler emphasizes the importance of adopting a growth mindset to understand and accept diverse gender identities, encouraging patience and active listening to navigate the complexities of individual experiences that may challenge our fixed assumptions.
What is Democracy?
The term "democracy," derived from Greek meaning "rule by the people," encompasses evolving principles of freedom, equality, and justice, as discussed by Judith Butler, who emphasizes the necessity of challenging societal norms to foster progress and redefine these ideals over time.
How Can We Cultivate Interdependency?
In her video lesson, philosopher Judith Butler emphasizes the interconnectedness of our actions and urges a shift from individualism to solidarity, highlighting how our interdependence shapes our relationships with each other and the world around us.
What is Grief?
Philosopher Judith Butler argues that public mourning for individuals like George Floyd and Mahsa Amini can serve as a catalyst for social justice, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging loss, whether personal or impersonal, to challenge societal perceptions of who is deemed "grievable."
Philosophers help us make sense of life’s toughest questions – questions that affect us in all spheres of our existence, including work. Exploring these questions can help us meet challenges and develop meaningful communication in the workplace and beyond. In this class, Judith Butler explores how philosophy’s tenets encourage wisdom and civil discourse – transformative frameworks for examining issues such as interdependency, gender, and grief.
Learning Objectives
- Engage in philosophical thinking for continuous learning.
- Appreciate and build on interdependencies that affect our lives and workplaces.
- Use civil discourse to improve dialogue and mutual understanding.
- Consider multiple perspectives on gender identity to create more inclusion.
- Examine how grief is sanctioned and supported at work.