Violence & Protest | Philosophy Tube

Philosophy Tube・2 minutes read

Environmentalists in Germany shut down a coal mine to protest CO2 emissions, facing criticism from authorities and right-wing parties. Philosophers like Kant and Benjamin discuss the moral implications of violence in activism, advocating for non-violent direct actions to challenge the status quo.

Insights

  • Andreas Marm advocates for targeted sabotage of fossil fuel-emitting devices as a more impactful form of climate change activism, pushing for a shift from protest to direct action.
  • Walter Benjamin critiques the police's use of mythic violence to establish new laws without democratic oversight, highlighting the distinction between mythic violence and divine violence in achieving justice and questioning the legitimacy of biased legal systems.

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Recent questions

  • What environmental action occurred in Germany in 2016?

    Activists shut down a coal mine.

  • What did Andreas Marm suggest for climate change activism?

    Targeted sabotage of fossil fuel-emitting devices.

  • What did Kant believe about observing revolutions?

    Observing revolutions without participating in violence.

  • How did Walter Benjamin critique violence in 1921 Weimar Germany?

    Criticized the police's role in maintaining order.

  • What did Simone Weil and Thomas Aquinas define violence as?

    Stripping individuals of choice and autonomy.

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Summary

00:00

"German activists shut down coal mine"

  • In 2016, 4,000 environmentalists in Germany shut down a coal mine, with Germany having many coal mines, accounting for seven of Europe's top CO2 emitters.
  • Activists from the Enda Galander movement blockaded the Gosula mine and the Swage Pimp power station, standing in the way of machinery for two days, attracting criticism.
  • Despite being unarmed and not damaging machinery, activists faced police arrests and attacks from the far-right party Alternative for Deutschland.
  • The CEO of Vardenfall criticized the activists, labeling the action as massive and criminal.
  • Andreas Marm, an ecologist, highlights the non-violent history of climate change activism, emphasizing the need for more impactful actions like sabotage.
  • Marm suggests targeted sabotage of fossil fuel-emitting devices as part of a mass movement, advocating for a shift from protest to direct action.
  • Many environmental movements, including Extinction Rebellion and Enda Galander, exclude the direct action Marm deems necessary, ignoring historical successes.
  • Kant, a philosopher, supported the French Revolution but condemned violence and resistance against the government, emphasizing the importance of social contract theory.
  • Kant believed that by observing revolutions without participating in violence, individuals could engage with moral questions, leading to moral and intellectual development.
  • Engaging with the moral questions raised by political violence is crucial for progress, even if direct participation may not be feasible for everyone.

17:04

Critiquing violence and power in society.

  • Walter Benjamin, a philosopher, critiqued violence in 1921 Weimar Germany after World War I, highlighting the police's role in maintaining order.
  • German police's violent actions against left-wing protesters in 1920 and the subsequent right-wing coup led to a government crackdown, revealing a lack of social contract effectiveness.
  • Benjamin distinguishes between law-preserving violence by police and mythic violence, where police create new legal orders through illegal actions.
  • Benjamin criticizes the police's use of mythic violence, which establishes new laws without democratic oversight, leading to a biased legal system.
  • Benjamin contrasts mythic violence with divine violence, which he believes can destroy existing legal orders to achieve justice, as seen in historical events like the general strike.
  • Benjamin discusses how symbols like uniforms and flags can mythologize violence, making it appear sanctioned even when it's not officially legal.
  • Simone Weil and Thomas Aquinas define violence as stripping individuals of choice and autonomy, prompting reflections on common instances of violence in daily life.
  • Weil's definition suggests that actions like raising children or enforcing public health measures can be considered violent due to limiting choices and autonomy.
  • The text explores the concept of visible versus invisible violence, highlighting how certain forms of violence are acknowledged while others are ignored, such as state violence in various contexts.
  • The text concludes with a question on how society distinguishes between acceptable and unacceptable violence, emphasizing the role of politics in navigating this complex issue.

35:23

"Ownership Shifts, Educational Content, and Philosophy"

  • The mine was initially owned by Vartanfall, a company under the Swedish government, which later sold it to Czech fossil capitalists, who continue its operation.
  • A documentary about the making of Philosophy Tube, supported by Curiosity Stream, will be released by the end of the year on Nebula, a platform co-owned by several creators.
  • Curiosity Stream offers a discount, allowing access to both their service and Nebula for $15 a year, with a variety of educational content available.
  • The text also delves into philosophical reflections and revolutionary ideas, emphasizing the importance of practical action and continuous learning in the pursuit of change and progress.
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