Applying Real Philosophy to Real Life Podcast

Toxic Masculinity?A term bandied about lately is “toxic masculinity.” The basic idea is obvious — that some men are so fixated on demonstrating how “manly” they are that they harm themselves and others in the process. I tend to frown on the use of labels, and like most labels, “toxic masculinity” points to something real and serious, but does not illuminate what lies beneath the surface.What is toxic masculinity? During the initial months of the COVID pandemic, I wrote an article about the right-wing’s cowardly opposition to mask mandates. My argument then, and an argument to which I still hold, is that what is labeled “toxic masculinity” is that some insecure men fear appearing vulnerable and act up to mask that fear.Though a useful concept in its proper context, toxic masculinity is best understood as an expression of an underlying sense of identity clung to by some males. It is this juvenile, testosterone-fueled identity that is at the base of so much man-child behavior. To describe that identity, I will adopt a term that most people will have heard, but that is underutilized — “the bros.” Get full access to Applying Real Philosophy to Real Life at dgilesphd.substack.com/subscribe

What is hate? Most people would say it’s anger or prejudice. Those are good answers, but they only touch the surface. Hate isn’t just anger; it is different from a response to being wronged by someone. We’re talking about the kind of emotions and agitations that accompany broad impersonal prejudices like racism and sexism. Hate is a symptom of a deeper psychological inability to cope. Get full access to Applying Real Philosophy to Real Life at dgilesphd.substack.com/subscribe

Many people feel that philosophy is not relevant to their lives. That feeling is completely mistaken, but it’s understandable how someone could come to feel that way. Philosophy isn’t dead, but most philosophers are — not just those people writing papers for academic journals but also those teaching philosophy courses. My Philosophy Textbook Showing Philosophy As Very Much Alive (https://dgilesauthor.com/philosophy-textbook-for-everyone/) Get full access to Applying Real Philosophy to Real Life at dgilesphd.substack.com/subscribe

In which I explain why I'm starting a philosophy podcast and how it won't be like other philosophy podcasts. Get full access to Applying Real Philosophy to Real Life at dgilesphd.substack.com/subscribe