Masks & Moral Ignorance: Exploring anti-mask sentiment through a Buddhist lens

Masks and Moral Ignorance: Exploring anti-mask sentiment through Buddhist accounts of ignorance

Join us on November 19th for a conversation with Emily McRae

Along with uprisings against racial injustice and police brutality, the summer of 2020 was marked by an intense (and uniquely American) debate about mask-wearing as an effective – and enforceable – measure against the spread of the novel coronavirus. These two movements also intersect, with anti-mask advocates sometimes using their platform to undermine, ridicule, or attack Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements (including, importantly, reproductive justice movements). This raises some questions: What is the source of anti-mask sentiment and behavior—especially given the ease of wearing masks and the scientific consensus regarding their effectiveness? Why would such resistance be paired with antipathy for Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements?

In this talk, I present a Buddhist conception of ignorance (avidyā, ma rig pa) and apply it to the recent resistance among some Americans to wearing masks as a protective measure against the spread of Covid 19. I suggest that explanations that anti-maskers are anti-science or anti-expertise, or that they are particularly devoted to personal liberty, are incomplete; that a particular kind of ignorance of the nature of the self is responsible for the refusal to wear masks. Following the Buddhist model, I argue that the root of anti-mask sentiment is a morally problematic self-conception, namely a morally problematic way of relating to white supremacy, patriarchy, and American identity among (mainly) white men, but also white women (as is evidenced by the viral, anti-mask “Karen” videos).

Bio

Emily McRae ( she/her ) is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Her specializations include Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, moral psychology, philosophy of emotion, and feminism. She is currently working on a book on moral ignorance that draws on Buddhist philosophical accounts of ignorance.

About Currents:

In this series of conversations hosted by Mangalam Academic Director, Karin Meyers, scholars of Buddhist studies will offer critical perspectives on current social, political, economic and ecological crises in light of Buddhist history, thought and practice. In Asia, Buddhist study and practice were traditionally integrated together in monastery life. Today, in the west, serious study and practice are typically pursued in different social locations, the university, and Dharma centers. By bringing academic scholars and Dharma practitioners together in conversation, this series aims to bridge that gap. By focusing on contemporary issues and crises, the intention is to explore the relevance of Buddhist teachings for our times, as well as to support and inspire socially transformative Buddhist practice. Each session will begin and end with a short community practice and include ample time for Q&A and discussion.

This event is free to attend. There is no registration fee and everyone is welcome. During the event we will have a time for participants to offer dana to support the work of our guest speakers and our organization.

This conversation will be held on Zoom.