Philosophy of African American Studies

Description

In this ground-breaking book, Stephen C. Ferguson addresses a seminal question that is too-often ignored: What should be the philosophical basis for African American studies? The volume explores philosophical issues and problems in their relationship to Black studies. Ferguson shows that philosophy is not a sterile intellectual pursuit, but a critical tool to gathering knowledge about the Black experience. Cultural idealism in various forms has become enormously influential as a framework for Black studies. Ferguson takes on the task of demonstrating how a Marxist philosophical perspective offers a productive and fruitful way of overcoming the limitations of idealism. Focusing on the hugely popular Afrocentric school of thought, this book’s engaging discussion shows that the foundational arguments of cultural idealism are based on a series of analytical and historical misapprehensions. In turn, Ferguson argues for the centrality of the Black working class—both men and women—to Black Studies. Front Matter ....Pages i-viii Introduction (Stephen C. Ferguson II)....Pages 1-14 Class Struggle in the Ivory Towers (Stephen C. Ferguson II)....Pages 15-57 The Afrocentric Problematic (Stephen C. Ferguson II)....Pages 59-96 New Wine in an Old Bottle? (Stephen C. Ferguson II)....Pages 97-129 The Heritage We Renounce (Stephen C. Ferguson II)....Pages 131-158 What’s Epistemology Got to Do with It? (Stephen C. Ferguson II)....Pages 159-192 Back Matter ....Pages 193-290