Emancipation After Hegel, with Todd McGowan

What does genuine political emancipation look like in a world defined by contradiction? And what can Hegel still teach us about freedom, revolution, and the possibility of social transformation? In this episode of Give and Take, Scott Jones sits down with philosopher Todd McGowan to discuss his provocative new book, Emancipation After Hegel: Achieving a Contradictory Revolution. Together they explore Hegel's revolutionary understanding of contradiction, why freedom isn't the absence of limits but our relationship to them, and how embracing contradiction can open new possibilities for political action. Along the way, Scott and Todd discuss the failures of contemporary politics, the allure of utopian thinking, the importance of negativity, and why attempts to escape contradiction often leave us less free than before. They also consider what a truly emancipatory politics might require in an age marked by polarization, disillusionment, and uncertainty. Whether you're a longtime reader of Hegel or simply curious about philosophy's relevance to today's political landscape, this conversation offers a rich and engaging exploration of one of the most influential—and misunderstood—thinkers in the Western tradition.