On conceptual dichotomies and social oppression

Abstract

This article aims to expose the philosophical and cultural mechanisms, which allow some forms of western religion (in this case mainstream Christianity) to join hands with western capitalism in the oppression of women and of the needy. Focusing on the example of the USA, this article claims that both mainstream Christian religion and capitalism perpetuate and entrench discrimination against women and the oppression of the needy through the use of the cultural/philosophical dichotomy between love and justice and its corollary dichotomy between private and public. Against this background, the second part of the article examines several notions of love and justice, and offers a philosophical alternative to the dichotomous understanding of the two which is based on our claim that neither love nor justice is complete without the other and suggests a combined understanding of these concepts. Finally, the article examines the practical implications of such a theoretical alternative for the social and cultural structures of the capitalist state, religion and the family.

Women’s Leadership Development: A Study of Defining Moments

“…While biblical scholars have argued over the interpretation of scripture, powerful images of helper and submission permeate passages about men, women, and gender roles (Freibach-Heifetz & Stopler, 2008;Heggen & Long, 1991;Hunter & Sargeant, 1993;LaCellePeterson, 2008). Such cultural factors, whether explicit or subconscious, may hinder the promotion of women into senior leadership positions in some sectors of Christian higher education.…”

Atavism, Layering and Subversion: Understanding Great Social Challenges of Today Through the Lens of Cultural Contingents

“…Effectively, when culture is conflated with normative perspectives the outcome becomes internalized as objective truths, which may consolidate an image that is largely unreflective of a changed reality (cf. Freibach-Heifetz & Stopler, 2008;Karwacki, 2002).…”

Deprivation and the Rural‐Urban Trap

“…Foucault ). Increased attention towards the constitution of concepts rather than their implied signification has helped isolate linkages between conceptual dichotomies and social oppression in philosophy, psychology and sociology (Derrida ; Scholz ; Hermans & Kempen ; Chiappari ; Blackburn ; Sewpaul ; Freibach‐Heifetz & Stopler ). While reflective attitudes towards the harmful implications of certain concepts have also suffused much of human geography (e.g.…”