Susan Neiman joins Inaya Folarin Iman on Equianopod to discuss her new book 'Left is Not Woke'. In the discussion, she explores the intellectual roots of “wokeness” and its surprising impact on traditional left ideals like universalism, freedom, and human agency.
She traces the roots of “wokeness” to disillusionment after the failures of socialism and backlash to Trump's election. Neiman argues the left must reclaim the Enlightenment tradition and its focus on universal justice and social progress. She critiques standpoint epistemology and identity politics as reductionist - "our perspectives are complicated, not biologically determined."
Full conversation also on YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel!
Ep 14. Why the Left is not Woke - Susan Neiman