African American Philosophers and Philosophy : An Introduction to the History, Concepts, and Contemporary Issues

This book presents the first introduction to African American academic philosophers. Choosing to focus exclusively on the role of professional philosophers, this volume explores their concepts and ideas, revealing the critical part they have played in the formation of African American philosophy. Setting the historical context, an introductory chapter covers the period from the early years of educational attainment in the 1860s to the 1960s, when only 4 PhDs in philosophy were granted to African Americans. To demonstrate the impact of their philosophical work on general problems in the discipline, chapters are broken down into four major areas of study: Axiology; Social science; Philosophy of religion; and Philosophy of science Providing personal narratives on individual philosophers and examining the work of figures such as H. T. Johnson, William D. Johnson, William R. Jones, Roy D. Morrison, William A. Banner, African American Philosophers and Philosophy challenges the myth that philosophy is exclusively a white academic discipline. Packed with examples of struggles and triumphs, this engaging introduction is a much-needed approach to studying philosophy today. Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Tables Acknowledgments Biographical Information on Selected African American Philosophers Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Introduction: Footnotes to History:On the Recovery of African American Philosophers and Reconstruction of African American Philosophy On the problem of universality and particularity A note Notes Chapter 1: Through the Back Door: The Problem of History and the African American Philosopher/Philosophy On the progress of African American philosophy On the history of Greek philosophy: The problem of Afrocentric interpretations Empirical description, philosophical definition, and historical interpretation Professional philosophy and academic racism Notes Chapter 2: The Problem of Philosophy: Metaphilosophical Considerations The meaning of the question “what is philosophy?” The problem of philosophical definition The definition of philosophy and metaphilosophical discourse Metaphilosophy: The foundation and scope of philosophy What is African American philosophy? Metaphilosophical considerations Notes Chapter 3: The Search for Values: Axiology in Ebony Knowledge of value and value of knowledge On the question of values: The object of philosophical inquiry Black is beautiful: A philosophical investigation of a beautiful problem The problem of axiology On aesthetics The search for objective beauty Philosophical perspectives on black music Notes Chapter 4: Philosophy of Science: African American Deliberations What is the philosophy of science? The African American dialectical idealist tradition in the philosophy of science William T. Fontaine and Ernest E. Just: The materialist conception of life African American philosophers on Einstein’s theory of relativity Eugene C. Holmes on the problem of space and time Normative values, social reality, and social activism Epistemology contra sociology of knowledge Notes Chapter 5: Mapping the Disciplinary Contours of the Philosophy of Religion: Reason, Faith, and African American Religious Culture Philosophy of religion and psychology of religion Method of investigation: Academic study versus devotional study of the Bible The matter of religious beliefs: Historical criticism contra faith commitment Christian belief and Jesus Christ: The matter of historical confirmation contra faith The philosophy of religion contra religious philosophy Notes Glossary of Key Terms Select Bibliography Index "This book presents the first introduction to African American academic philosophers, exploring their concepts and ideas and revealing the critical part they have played in the formation of philosophy in the USA. The book begins with the early years of educational attainment by African American philosophers in the 1860s. To demonstrate the impact of their philosophical work on general problems in the discipline, chapters are broken down into four major areas of study: Axiology, Social Science, Philosophy of Religion and Philosophy of Science. Providing personal narratives on individual philosophers and examining the work of figures such as H. T. Johnson, William D. Johnson, Joyce Mitchell Cooke, Adrian Piper, William R. Jones, Roy D. Morrison, Eugene C. Holmes, and William A. Banner, the book challenges the myth that philosophy is exclusively a white academic discipline. Packed with examples of struggles and triumphs, this engaging introduction is a much-needed approach to studying philosophy today."-- Résumé de l'éditeur "This book presents the first introduction to African American academic philosophers, exploring their concepts and ideas and revealing the critical part they have played in the formation of philosophy in the USA. The book begins with the early years of educational attainment by African American philosophers in the 1860s. To demonstrate the impact of their philosophical work on general problems in the discipline, chapters are broken down into four major areas of study: Axiology, Social Science, Philosophy of Religion and Philosophy of Science. Providing personal narratives on individual philosophers and examining the work of figures such as H.T. Johnson, William D. Johnson, Joyce Mitchell Cooke, Adrian Piper, William R. Jones, Roy D. Morrison, Eugene C. Holmes, and William A. Banner, the book challenges the myth that philosophy is exclusively a white academic discipline. Packed with examples of struggles and triumphs, this engaging introduction is a much-needed approach to studying philosophy today."-- Provided by publisher