Allegation and demonstration, and #MeToo: short commentary from Noam Chomsky
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Science, Technology, and Philosophy (Medium)
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2018/04/20
Scroll.in interviewed Noam Chomsky. He made an intriguing remark on the #MeToo movement, or the broader phenomena. Some points often made. Other points never made, except with condemnation and epithets.
His language remained different on the issue, though. The interviewer asked:
One of the most positive social and impactful movements of 2017 was the #MeToo movement. It has begun a sudden revival in the 21st Century Feminist movement and it has had profound effects on societies worldwide. What do you think of it?
Chomsky points to the critical issues talked about in the public domain. One with the “real and serious and deep problem” indicative of a “social pathology.” He sees this movement growing out of calling out this social pathology.
Another is the clear danger for many women in professional domains with powerful men, but this, especially, comes out, with almost no comparison for the United States than, in Hollywood.
But Chomsky continued, he went on to talk about the dangers of the #MeToo movement, but he, it seems, talked about the wider phenomenon of calling out bad behaviour or, more properly, making claims about bad behaviour in the public domain.
Chomsky sees the danger in “confusing allegation with demonstrated action.” That is, there needs to be care with making sure the allegations are demonstrated, which has more often been a conservative point, interestingly enough.
A point elaborated about the uncovering of “improper, inappropriate and sometimes criminal activities.” Where, “there always has to be a background of recognition that there’s a difference between allegation and demonstration.”
The full statement below in response to the interviewer’s question plus preface:
I think it grows out of a real and serious and deep problem of social pathology. It has exposed it and brought it to attention, brought to public attention many explicit and particular cases and so on. But I think there is a danger. The danger is confusing allegation with demonstrated action. We have to be careful to ensure that allegations have to be verified before they are used to undermine individuals and their actions and their status. So as in any such effort at uncovering improper, inappropriate and sometimes criminal activities, there always has to be a background of recognition that there’s a difference between allegation and demonstration.
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