Summary
Michele Moody-Adams argues that social movements are crucial for advancing justice, not just through action but by posing philosophical questions about its meaning and implementation. These movements are vital sources of moral inquiry and agents of social change, offering insights into the nature of justice and how to create space for it. By drawing on the transformative power of imagination, movements inspire political hope, strengthen the motivation to pursue justice, and contribute to the development of institutions and policies that sustain it.
Anyone interested in the theory or practice of justice must examine what social movements reveal about its demands, which include humane regard for others, compassionate concern, and robust respect. The book emphasizes that understanding these movements is critical for bridging the gap between discerning theory and effective practice, impacting both political thought and activism.
Key concepts
- Humane regard for others — The essential component of social justice, comprising compassionate concern and robust respect.
- Political hope — The motivation inspired by social movements that strengthens the pursuit of justice and the creation of sustaining institutions.
- Moral inquiry — The process of philosophical questioning undertaken by social movements regarding the meaning and demands of justice.
- Space for justice — The tangible and institutional environments created through social movements that allow for the realization of justice.
From the book
Description: Longlist, 2023 Edwards Book Award, Rodel Institute From nineteenth-century abolitionism to Black Lives Matter today, progressive social movements have been at the forefront of social change. Yet it is seldom recognized that such movements have not only engaged in political action but also posed crucial philosophical questions about the meaning of justice and about how the demands of justice can be met. Michele Moody-Adams argues that anyone who is concerned with the theory or the practice of justice—or both—must ask what can be learned from social movements. Drawing on a range of compelling examples, she explores what they have shown about the nature of justice as well as what it takes to create space for justice in the world. Moody-Adams considers progressive social…
Snippet: ... <b>Moody - Adams</b> , “ What's So Special About Academic Freedom ?, ” in Who's Afraid of Academic Freedom , ed . Akeel ... <b>the idea</b> that nonhuman animals have ( “ primary ” ) emotions , see Joseph LeDoux , “ Coming to Terms with Fear ...