We constantly make distinctions. In this seminar, we will discuss the concepts of distinction and difference in general and their role in social, political and scientific discourse in particular.
Are distinctions given or are they created? When, how and why are they introduced in discourse? How are we socialised into distinctions in our education in different societies?
We will discuss the distinction between liberal and illiberal democracy, between fact and fiction, science and pseudoscience, truth and error, moral and immoral, sex and gender. These distinctions become relevant when conflicts arise.