Intellectual Empathy: Critical Thinking for Social Justice

by Maureen Linker

Intellectual Empathy provides a step-by-step method for facilitating discussions of socially divisive issues. Maureen Linker, a philosophy professor at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, developed Intellectual Empathy after more than a decade of teaching critical thinking in metropolitan Detroit, one of the most racially and economically divided urban areas, at the crossroads of one of the Midwest’s largest Muslim communities. The skills acquired through Intellectual Empathy have proven to be significant for students who pursue careers in education, social work, law, business, and medicine.Now, Linker shows educators, activists, business managers, community leaders—anyone working toward fruitful dialogues about social differences—how potentially transformative conversations break down and how they can be repaired. Starting from Socrates’s injunction know thyself, Linker explains why interrogating our own beliefs is essential. In contrast to traditional approaches in logic that devalue emotion, Linker acknowledges the affective aspects of reasoning and how emotion is embedded in our understanding of self and other. Using examples from classroom dialogues, online comment forums, news media, and diversity training workshops, readers learn to recognize logical fallacies and critically, yet empathically, assess their own social biases, as well as the structural inequalities that perpetuate social injustice and divide us from each other.

Genres: Nonfiction

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2014

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept thinking of this as academic hand-holding. The text was chock full of social justice jargon and fancy academic language, but the pace and tone remained slow, steady, and patient, with abundant explanation and examples. So yes, I found this dry. But I also absorbed a ton of information on why we believe things, how we change what we believe, how you can talk to others about identity and beliefs, how to look at discussion from a cooperative perspective instead of adversarial, and how to approach the world with clearer eyes and a sharper mind.

In a time with numerous calls for unity among loud claims that we are more divided as a nation than ever, this book cuts through so many of the things that wall us off from each other. I think just about anyone could benefit from the ideas here, although I do think that some of the terms could be a turn off for those inclined to view safe spaces and microaggressions with scorn. But if you go into this book with - I think she calls it conditional trust - there's no reason you couldn't come out with tools to improve those family discussions about controversial topics.

[Laura Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with Linker's explanations and logical flow of how to think critically. Linker explains the Web of Belief, through which people interpret their worlds. Her description provides a deeper understanding of why people are so resistant to change in sometimes unpredictable areas; people thread their webs with various beliefs between the center and periphery, and one person’s web will look different from that of the next person. The web illustration also helps me to grasp why times of doubt (religiously, etc.) can rock worlds so drastically. If even the periphery of the web can be linked to the core, people must restructure entire systems of belief if they discover the center to be flawed. Sustaining one’s belief structure is a much easier path than reevaluating the world through a new lens. I am reminded of Henry David Thoreau's writings on taking time to journey into self and spiritual discovery. Contemplating the world philosophically is not a task many have time to do in our fast-paced world, where we are in constant demand. Nor is living existentially in disbelief about basic realities a way that most people would want live. Thus, we protect the center of our webs carefully. We have cognitive biases and use poor logic to argue with others regarding our positions. Linker finishes the book on a hopeful note, wherein people can learn to connect meaningfully while recognizing their own biases and being open to new ways to reason. We do not have to exist in a dichotomous world.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some excellent points that were made in this book. It is a terrific argument for how to talk with people who have views that are racist or simply contrary to what you think or believe. It felt like the book stemmed from an academic article that was then spread into a book. For so few concepts, it was a longer read and still felt pretty abstract. However, the examples were helpful in understanding the concepts and how to use these techniques.

Still, there seems to be a different way to present this info so that it would be easier to follow, practice and use. Overall, it is worth the read, especially paired with other social justice/antiracism books such as How to Be an Antiracist or White Fragility.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sounds academic but still gets at the heart of the matter

I like academic reading and I love books on social justice. So I was drawn to Intellectual Empathy because it promised both. And it delivered both. I liked the way Linker framed the concepts with sound reasoning and then provided practical examples that I was able to relate to. Thank you Maureen.

[Delmar Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intectual Necessity!

This is a fantastic and essential read for ANY person who is concerned about engaging in meaningful change in self or others. Intellectual Empathy provides an insightful roadmap in HOW to converse with those who are different from you combined with WHY the conversations are necessary, if change is a serious endeavor!

[Reichnekov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly a pretty solid read. Felt like a natural progression for the most part with a generally great first half. Chapter 3 was a bit of a slog but all-in-all the book had a lot to say and wasted little time making its point clearly.

[Deena Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be using this as a text for my Crit. Thinking course, and can't wait to teach the skills she discusses to my students!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and well written. Helps to open your mind and see from different perspectives as well as how to avoid conflict.

[Luke Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inject this book into my VEINS. Read for my "Teaching Controversial Issues" class and this was far and away the most useful book

[Jaime T · Rating 4 out of 5]

KPE 190: Inquiry in Kinesiology and Physical Education

5 skills to become an intellectually empathic critical thinker:
1. identity is intersectional
2. invisibility of social privilege
3. cooperative reasoning
4. conditional trust
5. mutual vulnerability