Episode · Modern Wisdom · 2020-09-19
Chris Williamson & Justin Tosi: books mentioned on Modern Wisdom #221
The Abuse Of Moral Talk For Self Promotion - Justin Tosi - #221
Justin Tosi is the Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Texas Tech University & an author. Moral grandstanding is the easiest way to signal your virtue without having to actually do anything virtuous.
Justin Tosi discussed The Theory of the Leisure Class by Thorstein Veblen and Grandstanding by Justin Tosi and others.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
-
The Theory of the Leisure Class
The Theory of the Leisure Class by Thorstein Veblen is a foundational sociological and economic text that examines conspicuous consumption, status symbols, and the behavior of the affluent elite.
Discussed“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”
Where to get it
-
Grandstanding
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.
Discussed“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”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“it's very 1984.”
“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”

