This semester, we will discuss the seminal work of contemporary philosopher, Dr./Prof. Rahel Jaeggi on “Critique of Forms of Life.”

“For many liberals, the question ‘Do others live rightly?’ feels inappropriate. Liberalism seems to demand a follow-up question: ‘Who am I to judge?’ Peaceful co-existence, in this view, is predicated on restraint from morally evaluating our peers. But Rahel Jaeggi sees the situation differently. Criticizing is not only valid but also useful, she argues. Moral judgment is no error; the error lies in how we go about judging.

One way to judge is external, based on universal standards derived from ideas about God or human nature. The other is internal, relying on standards peculiar to a given society. Both approaches have serious flaws and detractors. In Critique Forms of Life, Jaeggi offers a third way, which she calls ‘immanent’ critique. Inspired by Hegelian social philosophy and engaged with Anglo-American theorists such as John Dewey, Michael Walzer, and Alasdair MacIntyre, immanent critique begins with the recognition that ways of life are inherently normative because they assert their own goodness and rightness.” – Critique of Forms of Life book jacket introduction