#84- Marcuse’s “Repressive Tolerance” Part 1
Is tolerance a good thing and who deserves it?
In the first episode of this two-part series, Scott and Karl begin discussing Herbert Marcuse’s 1965 essay “Repressive Tolerance.”
Marcuse argues that the whole of society shapes what is politically possible for each of us, so any discussion of politics must attend to society as a whole.
Scott says, “For Marcuse, whether something is tolerable or intolerable is entirely based on whether that thing gives his group more power.”
While Marcuse doesn’t clearly provide boundaries to what is tolerable and intolerable, Scott and Karl dig in for themselves.
Scott says, “We live in a world of scarcity. We are never completely liberated and never can be… there will be compromises, things we must do to not perish. [Marcuse] doesn’t carve out allowances for those things either.”
Tune in and learn more about Marcuse’s essay and the problem when tolerance becomes a partisan tool.
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#84- Marcuse’s “Repressive Tolerance” Part 1
Do we reveal our most authentic inner selves by our choice of partner? How can you identify meaningful love in others? In what ways does love grow? Scott discusses the role of choice in love with fellow OGB interlocutors Karl Schudt and Marsha Enright. The trio digs into a chapter from José Ortega y Gasset’s book On Love.
Gasset is a prolific 20th-century Spanish philosopher who, in his writings, focuses on the subtle, almost ineffable aspects of human personality that are oftentimes overlooked.
What if actions and words are not the best clues in identifying a person’s authentic self but rather their gestures and facial expressions?
Without giving up all the answers, Gasset urges us to think deeply about what it is we love in proportion to our range of values and source of character. Tune in to this week’s episode and let us know your thoughts!
If you are interested in starting your journey with the Great Books, use the discount OGBPODCAST to save 25% on enrollment at Online Great Books.