Format
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
Fall 11-1-2025
Subjects
Political polarization, Political science -- Philosophy, Right and left (Political science), Dualism, Decision making -- Political aspects, Polarity (Social sciences)
Abstract
In times of political polarization, we are well-advised to heed Spinoza’s injunction, “Not to lament, not to curse, but to understand.” Understanding can be facilitated by ideas about the archetypal structures of political choice. The primary question is whether available or desirable political positions are dyadic or triadic, and if dyadic, whether they are good versus bad or complementary. Various modes of polarization are illustrated by locating two or more positions on a line, horseshoe, or circle. It behooves us to grasp the structure of the political situation we face to avoid making intellectual and/or moral mistakes.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44265
Citation Details
Martin Zwick (2025). "The Center Cannot Hold: Structures of Political Choice," Northwest Philosophy Conference, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon, October 31-November 1, 2025
Description
Author supplied keywords::Polarization, Dyad, Triad, Manichean dyad, Daoist dyad, Horseshoe political structure, left vs right, moderate vs extreme, Pathological holism, Intersectionality