Political Philosophy of Mind (with John Protevi)

Hotel Bar Sessions

The HBS hosts are joined by John Protevi to talk about case studies, COVID, and the political philosophy of mind.

At first glance, a "political philosophy of mind" would seem to be an oxymoron of sorts. Minds, after all, are often considered to be the individual basis for decision and action, while political philosophy would demand that we think at least on some level in terms of collectivity if not relations. A political philosophy of mind demands, then, overcoming the binary of individual and collective, individual and society. The individual and collective is only one such challenge proposed by a political philosophy of mind. If we consider the mind to include not only cognitive dimensions and aspects, but also the affective basis of actions-- the feelings, moods, and emotions, that structure our responses-- then a political philosophy of mind also crosses the divide between mind and body.

Such crossings are necessary to move beyond an economy and society that increasingly frames everything in terms of purely individual and rational decisions, as neoliberal calculations subsume our economic life, and even “you do you” guidelines replace public health. In this episode, we talk to John Protevi (Phyllis M. Taylor Professor of French Studies, Louisiana State University) about a political philosophy of mind, and why it might be necessary to think of the mind across the division of individual and society, mind and body.

Full episode notes can be found at this link:
https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/episode-113-political-philosophy-of-mind-with-john-protevi

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