On cancel culture from the Heideggerian perspective: Volatility of authenticity & inauthenticity

Abstract

This paper is to explore two connotations of cancel culture from the Heideggerian perspective, its concepts of authenticity and inauthenticity, and especially their interaction in a volatile fashion. Cancel culture is generally viewed as both negative and positive. Negatively, the culture may “cancel” the diversity of opinions to maintain one viewpoint. In Heideggerian characterization, Dasein (human beings' Being) seldom reflects on itself and its life plan as it is existing in the average everyday world full of “the They” (other Dasein) whose unexamined opinions constantly overwhelm and affect Dasein. Therefore, Dasein is, proximally and for the most part, living inauthentically due to its being “the Self of the Other” towards others’ opinions so that Dasein avoids taking the responsibility for facing its own authentic self, and thus the tendency towards single viewpoints is formed. Positively, by endeavoring to “cancel” the oppressive camps by holding them accountable, the culture renders a voice to marginalized communities and minorities and encourages them to speak up for themselves. The groups as Dasein receive encouragement from the culture to win back their long-lost authentic “the Self of one’s own”, by confronting the oppression and manipulation brought by “the They”. By overcoming “the They”, the minors take back their responsibility for facing their lives authentically, speaking up for themselves and initiating their life planning to establish the way the minors should take. Furthermore, this paper argues that authenticity and inauthenticity of cancel culture are volatile. On the one hand, convergence towards mainstream thoughts (rank and success), which encourages people to excel, justifies the transition from inauthenticity to authenticity. On the other hand, abusing the voice for the minors, which may ossify critical thinking, justifies the transition from authenticity to inauthenticity.