Good, Evil, and Social Engineering | Hans-Georg Moeller | Escaped Sapiens #49

On this episode of the podcast I speak with Professor Hans-Georg Moeller from the University of Macau. Georg's work focusses on Chinese and Comparative Philosophy (specifically Daoism) and on Social and Political Thought (specifically Social Systems Theory). We discuss the role that morality plays as a potent social engineering tool for establishing order and power. While morality is usually thought of in a positive sense, morally charged communication is often rigid and divisive, and leaves little room for mediation. Our morality allows us to frame ourselves as heros for our own actions and claims of ownership, while judging those that disagree with us as not just wrong, but as evil. Georg argues for the benefits a more amoral society, and points to humor as an antidote to moral outrage, and righteous anger.

 

►Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3fh159MqlQs

 

►For more information about Georg: https://fah.um.edu.mo/hans-georg-moeller/

 

►I highly recommend checking out Georg's own YouTube channels Carefree Wandering and Philosophy in Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@carefreewandering/videos https://www.youtube.com/@philosophyinmotion/videos

 

►You can get a 20% discount on Georg's book `You and Your Profile: Identity After Authenticity', by using the promo code CUP20 on the Columbia University Press website: http://cup.columbia.edu/book/you-and-your-profile/9780231196017

 

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode focuses on the upsides and downsides of using morality as a social tool for establishing and maintaining power, ownership, and hierarchy. If you find these discussions valuable then please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing.