Critical Social Inquiry 0215 - Ethics and Language: Between the Right to Speak and the Right to Remain Silent

In this noisy world with its surplus of words, does it matter what one says? This course introduces students to the linguistic turn in 20th Century French philosophy, with particular attention to the role of language in what it means to be a person among others. It is grounded in close readings of texts by Emmanuel Levinas, Maurice Blanchot, Jean-Francois Lyotard, and Jacques Derrida. Among the first to explore the ethical impact of language, these works provide tools for thinking about today's most pressing questions. How is it that words can harm, and what is the nature of this harm? Is there a human right to speak? Can animals speak? Can writing faithfully reflect reality, and if not, why write? Should we give voice to traumas? Is there really a right to remain silent, and if so, what does this right tell us about the kinds of creatures we are? Keywords: communication, justice, truth, meaning, inner life

In/Justice Students in this course should expect to spend 8-10 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.