Last Minute Lecture

Precariousness, Grievability, and the Ethics of Non-Violence — Shared Vulnerability in Political Life | Chapter 5 of Precarious Life by Judith Butler In the concluding chapter of Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence , Judith Butler brings her ethical and political inquiry full circle. Titled simply "Precarious Life," Chapter 5 explores how the human condition of vulnerability—what Butler calls precariousness—can be the foundation for a new kind of global ethics rooted in non-violence, empathy, and mutual dependence. Drawing on the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas and his notion of “the face of the Other,” Butler presents a compelling vision for how we might rethink politics in terms of shared fragility rather than militarized strength. Watch the full summary of this chapter from Last Minute Lecture below: Precariousness as a Universal Human Condition Butler begins by asserting that precariousness is not an individual failing but a universal human fac...

The Charge of Anti-Semitism — Criticism of Israel, State Power, and Political Dissent | Chapter 4 of Precarious Life by Judith Butler Can legitimate criticism of a state’s policies be mistaken—or deliberately mislabeled—as racism? In Chapter 4 of Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence , Judith Butler tackles this contentious issue in a powerful chapter titled "The Charge of Anti-Semitism." With a nuanced and courageous argument, Butler explores how accusations of anti-Semitism have been deployed to silence political dissent, particularly regarding criticism of the Israeli government’s policies toward Palestinians. Watch our full chapter summary from Last Minute Lecture to better understand Butler’s critical distinction between anti-Semitism and political critique: Context: Lawrence Summers and the Politics of Conflation Butler begins by referencing a 2002 speech delivered by Lawrence Summers, then-president of Harvard University, who argued that cert...

Indefinite Detention and the State of Exception — Sovereign Power, Guantanamo, and Human Rights | Chapter 3 of Precarious Life by Judith Butler What happens when a government suspends the rule of law in the name of national security? In Chapter 3 of Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence , Judith Butler offers a searing critique of indefinite detention as a tool of unchecked sovereign power. Titled "Indefinite Detention" , this chapter explores how political authority is expanded and legitimized through the erosion of legal protections—especially in the context of the War on Terror. Watch our full chapter summary from Last Minute Lecture below to explore Butler’s analysis of state violence, sovereignty, and the ethical challenges posed by indefinite detention: Guantanamo Bay and the Suspension of Rights At the heart of Butler’s critique is the U.S. government's policy toward detainees at Guantanamo Bay, where individuals were held indefinitely wit...

Violence, Mourning, and the Ethics of Vulnerability — Rethinking Grievability and State Power | Chapter 2 of Precarious Life by Judith Butler How do we decide whose lives matter? In Chapter 2 of Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence , Judith Butler addresses this urgent question by exploring how violence, mourning, and political vulnerability shape the very notion of humanity. In this chapter, titled "Violence, Mourning, Politics," Butler continues her critique of post-9/11 state narratives by focusing on the politics of grief—who is allowed to grieve, whose loss is acknowledged, and how public mourning is suppressed or manipulated to serve nationalistic ends. Watch the full chapter summary below from Last Minute Lecture to better understand how mourning can become an act of political resistance: Who Counts as Human? At the core of Butler’s argument lies the question: who is considered human, and who is denied that status? She asserts that politica...

Explanation and Exoneration — Framing Violence, Media Censorship, and Political Narratives | Chapter 1 of Precarious Life by Judith Butler In the wake of September 11, 2001, public discourse in the United States underwent a seismic shift. In Chapter 1 of Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence , Judith Butler offers a powerful critique of this shift—examining how political binaries, media complicity, and intellectual suppression came to dominate the national conversation. This chapter, titled "Explanation and Exoneration," serves as a foundational entry into Butler's larger ethical and philosophical inquiry into violence, grief, and justice. Watch our full video summary of this chapter from Last Minute Lecture below: The Crisis of Critical Thought Post-9/11 Butler begins by interrogating the American political landscape following 9/11, where dissent and critique were increasingly labeled as unpatriotic. The phrase “either you’re with us or you’re ...