Mindshaping is Inescapable, Social Injustice is not: Reflections on Haslanger's Critical Social Theory

Abstract

Drawing on the mindshaping view of social cognition, Haslanger makes a compelling case that understanding the depth of human enculturation is critical for remedying social injustice: specifically, for understanding the resilience of practices of injustice, as well as developing better strategies for resisting and rectifying them. In these comments, I focus on: (1) reviewing key features of the enculturation hypothesis that support Haslanger's insights; (2) highlighting three observations she makes regarding our cultural practices that should encourage and guide theorists/ activists in working towards justice-engendering social reform; and (3) emphasizing, in particular, Haslanger's endorsement of securing protected spaces in which heterodox cultural practices that potentially challenge unjust orthodox practices can themselves develop and thrive. I close by raising three questions for further discussion that together stress a complementary theme for promoting social justice: the importance of enculturating conversational practices that can reach across ideological divides. Show more