Bioviolence: How the powers that be make us do what they want

In this very special first edition of the Brunel Research Spotlight Series, we're joined by Professor William Watkin (Brunel University London) to discuss the recent publication of 'Bioviolence: How the powers that be make us do what they want'.

Drawing from the book, Prof Watkin will unpack bioviolence as a kind of philosophical tough love, a politics of being cruel to be kind.... Bioviolence presents a contemporary history of the last ten, confusing, sometimes terrifying years, starting with ISIS and ending with Covid. At the same time, it is also a philosophical investigation of how power, force, coercion and violence has been upcycled by modern states into unique affordances of harm, often dressed up as concern for our wider wellbeing.