History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China

An introduction to Kongzi, the founder of Confucianism, and to the text that has come to represent his thought, the Lunyu (Analects).

In this interview, we learn how newly discovered texts are changing our understanding of Warring States period philosophy.

What were ancient Chinese philosophical texts written on? How did writing relate to orally transmitted wisdom? How were texts read and used? And what even counted as a “text” in ancient China?

The historical context of classical Chinese philosophy, and how ancient Chinese historical works themselves became works of philosophy.

Co-host Karyn introduces herself to the listeners and talks about the challenges of tackling classical Chinese philosophical texts.

Early Chinese philosophers were deeply aware of a world that is constantly changing: we look at how Confucians, Legalists, and Daoists responded to this challenge.

Introducing Chinese philosophy through the concept of "dao," a fundamental word in classical Chinese philosophy, with a range of meanings across its different traditions.

How Africana philosophy looked to a young Chike Jeffers, coming into the field in the early 21st century.

The key events and figures in philosophy as an academic discipline, in both Africa and the diaspora.

Cornel West joins us to look back on the development of his thought and the many authors who have inspired him.

An introduction to Cornel West, focusing on his early essay “Philosophy and the Afro-American Experience.”

A movement of legal scholars diagnoses the limitations of merely “formal” measures against discrimination, a point they connect to issues like affirmative action, democratic process, and intersectionality.

What inspired Asante's controversial philosophy of Afrocentricity, and its relationship to religion, nationalism, and feminism.

How writers like George G.M. James, John Henrik Clarke, Cheikh Anta Diop, Yosef ben-Jochannan, and Chancellor Williams prepared the way for the Afrocentricity of Molefi Asante and captured the imaginations of hip hop artists and intellectuals like Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Sylvia Wynter offers a bold and provocative assessment of the role of the humanities in understanding humankind.

Cedric J. Robinson reflects on the power and limitations of Marxism while charting the past and prospects of black radical thought.

The author of an important book on Glissant joins us to talk about his approach to this major Caribbean thinker.

Poet, novelist, playwright and philosopher Edouard Glissant, his theory of "creolization", and the Creolists who were influence by him. 

Stuart Hall pioneers “cultural studies,” offering tools for analysis of films, television, fiction and music that were put to use by followers like Paul Gilroy and Hazel Carby.

The great Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o joins us to speak about his career, his influences, and the power and politics of language.

How one of Kenya's greatest writers came to argue that African literature should be written in African languages.

We bring the story of black feminism up to the turn of the century with the incisive works of bell hooks and Patricia Hill Collins.

In poetry and prose, especially her collection "Sister Outsider," Audre Lorde explores ideas of difference, eroticism, and feminist theory.

The eventful life and penetrating philosophy of Angela Davis, an icon of resistance deeply informed by Marxism and influential on black feminist thought.

Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou and Alice Walker explore the themes of black feminism (or “womanism”) in their fiction. Warning: this episode contains discussion of sexual violence and suicide.