What World Is This? A Pandemic Phenomenology

This punchy philosophical treatise from UC Berkeley philosopher Butler (The Force of Nonviolence) considers what a more equitable post-pandemic world could look like. Drawing on such phenomenologists as Max Scheler and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Butler contends that because humans are politically, socially, ecologically, and economically interdependent, they have an obligation to “organize the world... on principles of radical equality.” Covid-19 drew attention to the porous boundaries of bodies, communities, and nations, Butler posits, encouraging readers to see the pandemic as an opportunity to fashion a social fabric that recognizes this interconnectedness by offering guaranteed income and single-payer healthcare, as well as abolishing prisons. The author argues that such movements as Black Lives Matter in the U.S. and Not One Less in Argentina illustrate how recognizing shared dependencies enables activists to confront racism, sexism, and wealth inequality. Through a thorough philosophical accounting of the moral imperatives of living in a globalized society, Butler makes a rousing case for pushing progressive policies as a response to the disruptions of the pandemic. Thoughtful and profound, this hits the mark. (Nov.)