Department Colloquium: Asta

Colloquium with Ásta, “Metaphysics for Liberation and Social Science”

There has been considerable new work on the metaphysics of sex and gender, race, sexuality, and disability.(fn) The methodology employed in this work varies considerably. In this talk I advocate for a certain conception of doing social metaphysics. This conception involves a descriptive task and a critical task; it requires that we always keep in mind what we want the theory for; and it involves meeting certain epistemic and ethical demands. I conclude by discussing some ways in which social metaphysics of this kind can support political activism and policy making, as well as research in the social sciences.

Ásta is a Professor of Philosophy at Duke University.