ABSTRACT
In this article, I lament, problematize and illustrate the inviolability of the culture wars spectrum(s) as a modernist/ubermodern matrix in which we’re trapped in ideological groupthink and exclusion of the other. Intrinsic to the binary language constructs of left-right, liberal-conservative, etc. is an us-them assumption of polarization that is impotent in creating a justice society or achieving a greater good. The spectrum is ideological, depending on demonizing the other, in the name of opposing notions of ‘freedom’– a euphemism for autonomous self-will. The self-will and othering of any us-them cannot be resolved by changing sides without changing spirits. ‘Calling out’ is easy; ‘calling in’ much harder. Having grieved and critiqued spectrum ideology, I propose an alternative vision adapted from George P. Grant (Canadian political philosopher) and Simon Weil (French philosopher/activist/mystic). To do so, I appropriate Grant’s interpretation of the Socrates’ ‘Good’ fulfilled in Christ’s such that Love/the Good are given primacy rather than freedom as self-will. That vision attempts to transcend spectrum groupthink and strives for an alternative society that invites divergent streams beyond their partisan zeal to draw near for a conversation concerning the greater goods of restorative justice and inclusive care.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1. Katie Skurja is an innovative therapist based in Oregon. https://www.idmin.org.
2. Senate Hearing on Bill C16 (Citation2017).
3. A compromise was eventually reached in Vancouver (Vancouver Sun Citation2017).
4. I am also interacting with older works by Steven Lukes (Citation2003) and Detlev Jahn (Citation2011).
5. A double entendre, addressed to the moral power of peacemakers who risk their lives resisting violence and to militarist leaders who would never put themselves on the front lines.