The Struggle Between (WOKE) Language and Power 语言与权力的斗争

Based on Robert Morgan’s article Hermeneutical Disarmament (2025), we trace the evolution of these contested terms:
Woke (清醒 qīngxǐng → 觉醒派 juéxǐng pài): from proud awareness of injustice to sarcastic insult.
Emotional labour (情感劳动 qínggǎn láodòng → 情绪付出 qíngxù fùchū): from academic critique of capitalism to everyday relationship struggles.
Libertarian (自由意志主义者 zìyóu yìzhì zhǔyì zhě → 自由至上主义者 zìyóu zhìshàng zhǔyì zhě): from radical freedom to right-leaning minimal-state politics.
We explain Morgan’s idea of hermeneutical disarmament (诠释性解除武装) — how changing meanings can weaken our ability to argue for justice.

Robert Morgan, Hermeneutical disarmament, The Philosophical Quarterly, Volume 75, Issue 3, July 2025, Pages 1071–1093, https://doi.org/10.1093/pq/pqae046

Time Codes:
00:00 - Hermeneutical Disarmament
01:49 - Woke
03:16 - Emotional Labour.
05:08 - Libertarian(ism).
07:51 - Closing

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