Y. Sandy Berkovski, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract: A claim sometimes made in the literature on slurs is that slurs dehumanise their targets. Here, I look at several different versions of this claim. I begin by examining and ultimately rejecting the idea that dehumanisation is a form of disrespect, and that to use a slur is to treat the target, or to think of her, with disrespect, hence, to dehumanise her. Then I look at the idea that some select slurs are aligned, in thought and in action, with dehumanising treatment in genocide. I argue that the theoretical justification of this claim is confusing, while the empirical evidence is sketchy at best. I conclude by arguing that, in general, the prospects for aligning slurs and dehumanisation are dim.

Keywords: Dehumanisation; slurs; respect; genocide; perception