The body politics – a philosophical stroll with Judith Butler and Sunaura Taylor

For her feature-length documentary Examined Life (2008), the director, writer and activist Astra Taylor filmed some of the most preeminent contemporary philosophers – including Peter Singer, Slavoj Žižek, Martha Nussbaum and Cornel West – in urban settings, discussing how their ideas can be applied practically in the modern world. This excerpt from the film features the influential philosopher Judith Butler and the writer, artist and activist Sunaura Taylor, who is Astra Taylor’s sister, taking a leisurely walk through San Francisco. As they saunter down the street – Butler on her feet, and Taylor in a wheelchair – the pair engage in a riveting discussion on the many limits, liberations and complications of existing in a world where bodies have both diverse characteristics and shared basic needs. You can learn more about Examined Life, including how to watch the film in its entirety, here.