Seminar: Markers of authenticity

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‘On Authenticity and Race’

Dr Adam Hochman (Department of Philosophy) with a response by A/Prof. Andrew Gillett (Department of Ancient History)

May 26th, 1:00pm–2:00pm, W6A 308 (Ancient Cultures Research Cenre Seminar Room)

Discussion connecting race and authenticity tends to focus on the issue of ‘authentic’ racial identity. In this conversation, Hochman will explore some other, under-examined connections between the concepts, making the case that social constructionism about race – understood as the view that race is a social kind – creates a range of authenticity problems.

It is unclear which groups count as de facto races under a social definition of the concept. Is there, or has there ever been, a Jewish race? A Muslim race? Consequently, it is unclear who has the appropriate expertise to speak about race. This problem appears especially in debates about whether race is modern. In other words, who are the ‘authentic’ race scholars?

Hochman will suggest a solution to these authenticity problems, which involves a thoroughgoing rejection of racial ontology, and the replacement of race with the category of the racialized group.

‘Markers of Authenticity’ is a cross-disciplinary research network within the ‘Modes of Communication’ research theme in the Fauclty of Arts. The research program seeks to understand why authenticity matters so much, and to look at the ways in which it has been used to construct our relationship with the past, with ourselves and one another, and with objects, animals, and the environment.

For further details, see http://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/resilient-societies/centres/ancient-cultures-research-centre/markers-of-authenticity

For inquiries, contact Malcolm Choat, malcolm.choat@mq.edu.au

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