Book · 2020 · Philosophy
Grandstanding
The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk
Why people recommend it
Grandstanding by Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke examines the phenomenon of moral self-promotion, exploring how individuals use public discourse not to effect positive change, but to signal their own righteousness and virtue to others. The book was highlighted on the Modern Wisdom podcast in September 2020 during the episode titled The Abuse Of Moral Talk For Self Promotion, which featured co-author Justin Tosi as a guest. Throughout the episode, Tosi and host Chris Williamson unpacked the nuances of moral grandstanding, discussing how political and social conversations are frequently hijacked by individuals seeking status rather than truth. At the conclusion of the episode, Williamson directed listeners to the show notes where the book Grandstanding was linked for purchase. Additionally, during the conversation, Tosi connected contemporary status-seeking behaviors to historical frameworks, building upon earlier sociological theories regarding pomp, circumstance, and superficial displays of status. The discussion provided listeners with a profound look into modern communication pitfalls, explaining the psychological motivations behind virtue signaling and moral posturing. The book recommendation offered an actionable resource for individuals wishing to recognize and avoid these manipulative conversational patterns in their daily social and professional interactions.
Who recommended it
- Justin Tosi Discussed
- Chris Williamson Recommended
Justin Tosi — 1 mention
“so you know he writes this this great book um the theory of the leisure class all about their their kind of lame practices just you know acquiring obscure languages and engaging in in all this pomp uh and circumstance is to show people they have the time and and the money”
Chris Williamson — 1 mention
“the book grandstanding will be linked in the show notes below”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“so uh the most tempting thing to do here probably for most people is you want to pick up this book grandstanding and figure out how to find these grandstanders and go after them and humiliate them make them stop it”