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Arguing for a Better World: How Philosophy Can Help Us Fight for Social Justice
Is it sexist to say that “men are trash”? Can white people be victims of racism? Do we bear any individual responsibility for climate change?
We’ve all wrestled with questions like these, whether we’re shouting at a relative across the dinner table, quarreling with old classmates on social media, or chatting late into the night with friends. Many people give kneejerk answers that roughly align with their broader belief system, but flounder when asked for their reasoning, leading to a conversational stalemate—especially when faced with a political, generational, or cultural divide.
The truth is that our answers to these questions almost always rely on unexamined assumptions. In Arguing for a Better World , philosopher Arianne Shahvisi shows us how to work through thorny moral questions by examining their parts in broad daylight, equipping us to not only identify our own positions but to defend them as well. This book demonstrates the relevance of philosophy to our everyday lives, and offers some clear-eyed tools to those who want to learn how to better fight for justice and liberation for all.
We’ve all wrestled with questions like these, whether we’re shouting at a relative across the dinner table, quarreling with old classmates on social media, or chatting late into the night with friends. Many people give kneejerk answers that roughly align with their broader belief system, but flounder when asked for their reasoning, leading to a conversational stalemate—especially when faced with a political, generational, or cultural divide.
The truth is that our answers to these questions almost always rely on unexamined assumptions. In Arguing for a Better World , philosopher Arianne Shahvisi shows us how to work through thorny moral questions by examining their parts in broad daylight, equipping us to not only identify our own positions but to defend them as well. This book demonstrates the relevance of philosophy to our everyday lives, and offers some clear-eyed tools to those who want to learn how to better fight for justice and liberation for all.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2023
54 people are currently reading
2517 people want to read
About the author
Arianne Shahvisi
3 books8 followersArianne Shahvisi is a Kurdish-British writer and academic philosopher. Raised in Lancashire and Essex, she studied astrophysics and philosophy at the universities of Cambridge and Oxford, and now teaches applied philosophy at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, where her research focusses on gender, race, migration, and health. She writes regularly for the London Review of Books, and her essays have also appeared in the Guardian, Prospect, the Independent, and the Economist.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 23, 2025
If you're looking for a book to get more people on board with current social justice discourse, this is not ideal.
That's not to say this is a bad book. It absolutely isn't. There is some outstanding rhetoric within these pages. Shahvisi outlines a radical manifesto for social change that for the mostpart I wholeheartedly endorse.
The trouble is, there isn't enough empathy with opposing views to truly build a bridge. Which would be fine if the book's aim was to outline a series of standpoints, but from the title I infer that the purpose of this book is to persuade, and this I doubt it will do effectively.
A lecture is useful for a receptive audience, but in order to present an actual argument (that is, disagreeing with the opposing viewpoint), didactic explanations aren't enough. One has to understand the other point of view and tackle the misunderstandings and logical fallacies that commonly occur.
I found this book often stated opinion and theory as indisputable fact, and took a generally uncharitable view of the motives of anyone who sees things differently.
In my experience, most people want a better, fairer world; we just have different ideas about what that might look like. Being able to explore rich, varied perspectives is a privilege, and we all have a responsibility to help open others' eyes to injustice.
I endorse the majority of what Shahvisi has to say in this book. Ironically, I found Shahvisi a lot more convincing in later chapters when she loses some of the certainty and allows more nuance into her arguments.
If you're not already sympathetic to the authors' viewpoint you will feel hectored, and if you're fully on board already, this book will be a miserable reminder of all that is wrong with the world.
Having said that, Shahvisi is a splendid writer and if you can grit your teeth and face the emotional impact of a work such as this, you will learn a lot. She is clearly an expert in her field.
I would not recommend this as an introduction to the subject, but if you want to delve deeper into the pathological processes of oppression, there is lots to be gained from reading this book. I'm going to round up to 4 stars, with the proviso that throughout I did keep thinking "yes, but..." and "not quite".
It was a difficult read, but I (personally) got a lot out of it, even if I do feel it would have shortcomings as a rhetorical device.
That's not to say this is a bad book. It absolutely isn't. There is some outstanding rhetoric within these pages. Shahvisi outlines a radical manifesto for social change that for the mostpart I wholeheartedly endorse.
The trouble is, there isn't enough empathy with opposing views to truly build a bridge. Which would be fine if the book's aim was to outline a series of standpoints, but from the title I infer that the purpose of this book is to persuade, and this I doubt it will do effectively.
A lecture is useful for a receptive audience, but in order to present an actual argument (that is, disagreeing with the opposing viewpoint), didactic explanations aren't enough. One has to understand the other point of view and tackle the misunderstandings and logical fallacies that commonly occur.
I found this book often stated opinion and theory as indisputable fact, and took a generally uncharitable view of the motives of anyone who sees things differently.
In my experience, most people want a better, fairer world; we just have different ideas about what that might look like. Being able to explore rich, varied perspectives is a privilege, and we all have a responsibility to help open others' eyes to injustice.
I endorse the majority of what Shahvisi has to say in this book. Ironically, I found Shahvisi a lot more convincing in later chapters when she loses some of the certainty and allows more nuance into her arguments.
If you're not already sympathetic to the authors' viewpoint you will feel hectored, and if you're fully on board already, this book will be a miserable reminder of all that is wrong with the world.
Having said that, Shahvisi is a splendid writer and if you can grit your teeth and face the emotional impact of a work such as this, you will learn a lot. She is clearly an expert in her field.
I would not recommend this as an introduction to the subject, but if you want to delve deeper into the pathological processes of oppression, there is lots to be gained from reading this book. I'm going to round up to 4 stars, with the proviso that throughout I did keep thinking "yes, but..." and "not quite".
It was a difficult read, but I (personally) got a lot out of it, even if I do feel it would have shortcomings as a rhetorical device.
September 19, 2023
"With this last point in mind I'll sound a note of warning, if not optimism. However bad things are, we must not forget that there are barricades of resistance this very minute that are holding off something much crueler. Eight billion people are alive, and, for the moment, there are still trees and bees. Find your nearest barricade. As long as we can imagine something worse, we have a fight on our hands." So a lot of this book for me was a refresher but I would imagine if you're new to philosophy or the topic of social justice this would be a great primer on the subject. I do like the way that everything is addressed with intersectionality in mind. And, I would say that the differences between the Global North and South was a lens that I don't often use and will now keep in mind especially as it relates to labor and capitalism. Well written and thoughtful, I highly recommend this book especially if you're a person who has been looking for a way to ease into a rather heavy subject.
July 29, 2023
There are a lot of arguments in the book about how social justice can change the world. While I found myself intrigued and interested in Arianne Shahvisi’s writing s about these issues, I found myself questioning her thoughts on many of these items. While I questioned her thoughts I clearly questioned my own thoughts. I suppose that is the idea of the book and the writer does a fantastic job of challenging readers to consider and explore thoughts about a series of important issues. As you read through, expect to rethink some of your beliefs.
November 2, 2023
Excellent. Excellent.
Not an easy read but an essential one for anyone concerned with the moral and physical health of our world.
Not an easy read but an essential one for anyone concerned with the moral and physical health of our world.
May 22, 2024
this book was really well done. i like how the author went deep into many current “hot topics” (if you will) by deconstructing them while also providing potential solutions. i actually wish it was we more philosophical, but i do appreciate how approachable it is.
July 25, 2023
“Show your working” is how the book starts, yet. The author shamelessly presents ideas of other thinkers and philosophers as her own all the way through the book.
Why would Penguin Round House publish a text that is inciting violence? Clearly calling for violent methods of arguing for “better world”, including destruction of property.
“Arguing for the better world” is the title. Yet, the author does not define what “better world” is. Which would be the absolute basic requirement for writing a book with a title like that. Which turned the entire book into “a guide to household virtue signalling”. If the author would look for genuine change, they would define the goal. Without a logical goal, any action becomes a meaningless virtue signalling.
The circular logic of the argument is the key to plausible deniability inserted in every chapter of the book. The card “oh, this is a reverse racism, not racism”. Because there are always a lot of stereotypical groups above in the hierarchy of suffering.
According to the author, personal suffering is the ultimate virtue. As long as a person’s suffering is relatively lower on author’s hierarchy, anything goes. This is a circular logic fallacy that infected the pages and the author herself. The method allows the following to thrive on the pages of this book: homophobia, sexism, dog whistling, racism, transphobia, fig leafing and incitement of violence.
I want my money back. However, the capitalist structures, shamelessly and strategically used by the author, will not make that happen. The author will drive profit through her sloppy and intellectually dishonest labour for years to come.
Why would Penguin Round House publish a text that is inciting violence? Clearly calling for violent methods of arguing for “better world”, including destruction of property.
“Arguing for the better world” is the title. Yet, the author does not define what “better world” is. Which would be the absolute basic requirement for writing a book with a title like that. Which turned the entire book into “a guide to household virtue signalling”. If the author would look for genuine change, they would define the goal. Without a logical goal, any action becomes a meaningless virtue signalling.
The circular logic of the argument is the key to plausible deniability inserted in every chapter of the book. The card “oh, this is a reverse racism, not racism”. Because there are always a lot of stereotypical groups above in the hierarchy of suffering.
According to the author, personal suffering is the ultimate virtue. As long as a person’s suffering is relatively lower on author’s hierarchy, anything goes. This is a circular logic fallacy that infected the pages and the author herself. The method allows the following to thrive on the pages of this book: homophobia, sexism, dog whistling, racism, transphobia, fig leafing and incitement of violence.
I want my money back. However, the capitalist structures, shamelessly and strategically used by the author, will not make that happen. The author will drive profit through her sloppy and intellectually dishonest labour for years to come.
October 19, 2023
This is just the opposite of scholarly rigor. Just one word after the next to make the author feel good about herself. She starts by saying she is vehemently against capitalism and then fails to describe something better. Ideas and direction of thought meanders aimlessly like my ADHD; couldn’t finish it. Needs a re-edit, and a proper focal point. Great title, now follow it, and rewrite it.
June 16, 2024
if you are at all politically involved or consider yourself an activist in any way, you NEED to read this book. incredibly insightful and supportive regarding arguments we frequently see ourselves having to deal with thanks to the increasing prominence of the far right
February 22, 2024
Amazing book and this is the book that I have long been wanted to read. Clear and detailed analysis of commonly mentioned concepts. Best of the year already.
April 23, 2024
not sure what i expected with this, but five stars for clear logic & writing, and for the thrill of so many citations by women and people of color.
June 17, 2023
This book is chock-full of important and compelling information that everybody should know about discrimination and oppression.
It’s interesting and informative without being patronising.
Arianne Shahvisi gives voice to some of the questions that people feel afraid to voice or challenge such as ‘can you be racist towards a white person’.
At times this is an uncomfortable and challenging read, particularly for me as a White, middle classes and pretty privileged person but that just shows how crucial it is that people should read this book and how important the information contained within it is.
Everyone should read this book
It’s interesting and informative without being patronising.
Arianne Shahvisi gives voice to some of the questions that people feel afraid to voice or challenge such as ‘can you be racist towards a white person’.
At times this is an uncomfortable and challenging read, particularly for me as a White, middle classes and pretty privileged person but that just shows how crucial it is that people should read this book and how important the information contained within it is.
Everyone should read this book
January 11, 2024
What an incredible incredible read. Fairly short. This author equips everyone with basic tools to argue for social justice, provides basic answers to the most common challenges against social equality (explaining why it’s not sexist to say “Men are trash” or why it’s disingenuous to say “all lives matter” for example), and most importantly provides moral principles that illustrate the responsibility we as individuals have in tackling structural injustice. The best part is the author is a trained physicist! From a fellow interdisciplinarian to another great fucking work!
July 26, 2023
This was wonderful. I listened to the audiobook but will definitely get the print copy bc there were some brilliant sections I wanted to take notes on. Loved the power analysis, really spot on.
September 11, 2023
Very insightful, this book puts into plain words the things that bother me but I’m not sure why, it illuminates.
Read
October 25, 2023Didn't finish
July 17, 2024
I couldn’t recommend this enough. Each argument and point is presented with clarity and eloquence. Fantastic book.
August 1, 2023
ใครสนใจประเด็นโต้เถียงยอดฮิต เช่น พูด Men are trash ถือว่าเหยียดเพศมั้ย, คนขาวเป็นฝ่ายถูก racist ได้มั้ย, ทำไมไม่ all live matter ฯลฯ แต่อยากอ่านข้อโต้แย้งที่ประเทืองปัญญากว่าที่คนเถียงกันบนเนต เล่มนี้จัดไป
เรื่อง Men are trash เขาให้เหตุผลโดยการยกสถิติคดีกราดยิง, ล่วงละเมิดทางเพศ, femicide ที่กว่า 90% มันเกิดจากผู้ชาย เพื่อชี้ให้เห็นว่า ปัญหาความรุนแรงหรือการล่วงละเมิดทางเพศมันไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องความเลวส่วนบุคคล แต่มันเกี่ยวกับเพศด้วย และเพศที่กำลังทำตัวเป็นปัญหาตอนนี้คือผู้ชาย
เมื่อเจตนาของ Men are trash คือต้องการชี้ให้เห็นความเชื่อมโยงระหว่าง trashness กับ masculinity การพยายามไปทำให้วลีนี้ซอฟต์ลง (เช่นใช้คำว่า some men) เลยเป็นอะไรที่หลงประเด็น เพราะมันยิ่งไปทำให้ความรุนแรงด้วยเหตุแห่งเพศกลายเป็นเรื่องความเลวส่วนบุคคลไป แถมการพูดว่า "ผู้ชายบางคนเป็นคนเลว" มันก็ go without saying สุดๆ เหมือนบอก 1+1 = 2 พูดไปคงไม่โดนด่าแหละ แต่ก็ไร้สาระจนไม่รู้จะพูดไปทำไม
Men are trash อาจเป็นวลีที่ก้าวร้าวรุนแรง (offensive) แต่มันไม่ได้กดทับ (oppressive) เพราะผลกระทบต่อชีวิตผู้ชายค่อนข้างจำกัด ต่อให้วลีนี้กลายเป็นวลีฮิตก็ไม่ได้ทำให้ผู้ชายสูญเสียอะไร และที่มาของมันก็ไม่ได้เกิดจากความเกลียดชัง แต่เป็น demand for justice ที่ไม่เคยได้รับการตอบสนอง เพราะฟังก์ชันนึงของ Men are trash คือสาดสปอตไลท์ไปที่ฝั่งผู้กระทำ และย้ำเตือนว่าความรุนแรงเหล่านี้เป็นปัญหาของผู้ชายที่ผู้ชายต้องไปแก้ ไม่ใช่ให้เหยื่อปรับตัว
ในทางกลับกัน คำพูดเหมารวมที่ดูรุนแรงน้อยกว่าอย่าง "ผู้หญิงเป็นเพศที่ไร้เหตุผล" เกิดจากอคติที่เชื่อว่าผู้ชายเกิดมาดีกว่าเพศหญิง และเป็นความเชื่อที่พรากโอกาสในชีวิตผู้หญิงไปมหาศาล
เวลาพิจารณาว่าประโยคไหนเหยียดหรือไม่เหยียด ยอมรับได้หรือยอมรับไม่ได้ อย่าดูแค่ความแรงอย่างเดียว แต่ต้องพิจารณาถึงที่มาและผลกระทบของคำเหล่านั้นด้วย
เรื่อง Men are trash เขาให้เหตุผลโดยการยกสถิติคดีกราดยิง, ล่วงละเมิดทางเพศ, femicide ที่กว่า 90% มันเกิดจากผู้ชาย เพื่อชี้ให้เห็นว่า ปัญหาความรุนแรงหรือการล่วงละเมิดทางเพศมันไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องความเลวส่วนบุคคล แต่มันเกี่ยวกับเพศด้วย และเพศที่กำลังทำตัวเป็นปัญหาตอนนี้คือผู้ชาย
เมื่อเจตนาของ Men are trash คือต้องการชี้ให้เห็นความเชื่อมโยงระหว่าง trashness กับ masculinity การพยายามไปทำให้วลีนี้ซอฟต์ลง (เช่นใช้คำว่า some men) เลยเป็นอะไรที่หลงประเด็น เพราะมันยิ่งไปทำให้ความรุนแรงด้วยเหตุแห่งเพศกลายเป็นเรื่องความเลวส่วนบุคคลไป แถมการพูดว่า "ผู้ชายบางคนเป็นคนเลว" มันก็ go without saying สุดๆ เหมือนบอก 1+1 = 2 พูดไปคงไม่โดนด่าแหละ แต่ก็ไร้สาระจนไม่รู้จะพูดไปทำไม
Men are trash อาจเป็นวลีที่ก้าวร้าวรุนแรง (offensive) แต่มันไม่ได้กดทับ (oppressive) เพราะผลกระทบต่อชีวิตผู้ชายค่อนข้างจำกัด ต่อให้วลีนี้กลายเป็นวลีฮิตก็ไม่ได้ทำให้ผู้ชายสูญเสียอะไร และที่มาของมันก็ไม่ได้เกิดจากความเกลียดชัง แต่เป็น demand for justice ที่ไม่เคยได้รับการตอบสนอง เพราะฟังก์ชันนึงของ Men are trash คือสาดสปอตไลท์ไปที่ฝั่งผู้กระทำ และย้ำเตือนว่าความรุนแรงเหล่านี้เป็นปัญหาของผู้ชายที่ผู้ชายต้องไปแก้ ไม่ใช่ให้เหยื่อปรับตัว
ในทางกลับกัน คำพูดเหมารวมที่ดูรุนแรงน้อยกว่าอย่าง "ผู้หญิงเป็นเพศที่ไร้เหตุผล" เกิดจากอคติที่เชื่อว่าผู้ชายเกิดมาดีกว่าเพศหญิง และเป็นความเชื่อที่พรากโอกาสในชีวิตผู้หญิงไปมหาศาล
เวลาพิจารณาว่าประโยคไหนเหยียดหรือไม่เหยียด ยอมรับได้หรือยอมรับไม่ได้ อย่าดูแค่ความแรงอย่างเดียว แต่ต้องพิจารณาถึงที่มาและผลกระทบของคำเหล่านั้นด้วย
August 8, 2023
3.5 stars. Yes we should consider equality in a global context, disappointed by the lack of commitment to either culture change, policy change, or the dismantling of structures. Take a middle of the road approach (argues some combination is necessary yet doesn’t explicitly state any as what is actually being discussed which makes it inaccessible to individuals newer to the subject). A good introduction to basic social issues, walks individuals through moral arguments and explains basic structures
April 14, 2025
The world faces many societal problems and most of them are perpetuated by capitalism, which incentivizes oppression. Simply because to allow the rich to exploit the poor, one needs to dehumanize the poor so as to make their exploitation okay. We are all complacent to to this, even if we are forced by our circumstances which give us little choice. It is impossible to live a wrong life rightly. Capitalism has enabled us to live in an unprecedented freedom, but that does not erase the fact that it inevitably drives over-exploitation of people and the Earths’s resources.
August 25, 2023
This is a very good academic study of how to make a better world and how to debate it with others.
I really enjoyed this but I believe that this is a book best read by some who have a decent broad range of knowledge of theories to begin with
I think those who don't have too much of a theoretical knowledge to begin with may find this difficult.
I really enjoyed this but I believe that this is a book best read by some who have a decent broad range of knowledge of theories to begin with
I think those who don't have too much of a theoretical knowledge to begin with may find this difficult.
March 20, 2024
The author probes many of the societal "isms" that everyone experiences everyday. From racism, to socialism, to capitalism to political extremes, etc. no solutions are offered, only background information to make one thing. I suppose this is what a good university lecturer should do for her students. The book is well written, but is jam packed with citations and background notes.
June 30, 2025
Well written and persuasive, this book shines a light on the way structural inequalities serve to co-opt us all into partipating in activities that degrade the environment. It's shocking to learn that BP promoted the use of individual carbon footprint calculation, because while we're all busy trying to do our bit, they're not being held accountable.
January 17, 2024
I dropped this book. The author describes current social issues and states her opinions but doesn't get to any solutions. She states her strong opposition to capitalism without "arguing" for a better system. I dropped the book because it wasn't giving me any new ideas or information.
Want to read
November 20, 2023DMPL EXAMINED 2023_11_20 AUDIBLE WISH LIST ELEGANT AND INFORMED REVIEW OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES
CRITICAL LIBRARIANSHIP
CRITICAL LIBRARIANSHIP
December 3, 2023
A truly brilliant book. A must read for everyone seeking the real facts & respectful arguments for a hopeful present & future.
January 7, 2025
Particularly great audiobook! Tied theory to real-world examples seamlessly and effectively
January 31, 2024
Midway through this and will probably be getting a copy for myself. Clear writing and is helping me shape my often jumbled up feelings/thoughts regarding conversations around social justice and speaking points. Big fan!
February 6, 2024
Good topics for discussion, but I didn't feel surprised or enlightened by any of the discussion. Meh
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews