Peter Adamson, Jonardon Ganeri, and Chike Jeffers present the philosophical traditions of India, Africa, and the African Diaspora. Further reading and info at www.historyofphilosophy.net.
Peter Adamson, Jonardon Ganeri, Chike Jeffers
The History of Indian and Africana Philosophy podcast is an outstanding resource for anyone interested in exploring nonwestern philosophies and breaking away from the exclusivity of the traditional western mindset. As a longtime student of Buddhist and Chinese philosophies, I was highly impressed with the depth and care that went into the initial series on the philosophies of India. The podcast offers a comprehensive introduction to these rich intellectual traditions and provides valuable insights into their relevance in today's world.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its commitment to inclusivity and challenging ethnocentric mindsets. It exposes listeners to a wide range of nonwestern philosophies, giving them access to unbelievable riches of knowledge and understanding. The podcast also shines a light on underappreciated fields such as black American Philosophy, providing a narrative history that is both informative and engaging.
Despite its many strengths, one drawback of this podcast is that it could benefit from more detailed exploration of certain topics, such as different schools of Buddhist thought. While it serves as a wonderful gateway to broader philosophy, some episodes may be challenging for those without prior knowledge or familiarity with the field. However, this shouldn't deter listeners from diving into this brilliant contribution to publicizing these often overlooked areas of study.
In conclusion, The History of Indian and Africana Philosophy podcast is an enlightening and entertaining resource that offers a unique perspective outside the greco-roman tradition. It combines academic rigor with approachable presentation, making it accessible to listeners from various backgrounds. Whether you're already familiar with philosophy or just starting out on your journey, this podcast will expand your horizons and provide valuable insights into nonwestern thought systems.
Later Mohists explained in the Canons how to provide compelling philosophical arguments, and how to avoid mistakes in argumentation. Does this count as “logic”?
What Mohist dialectics and Gongsun Long's “White Horse Not Horse” argument tell us about the connection between language and knowledge.
Did Mozi tell people that ghosts exist and that we can change our fate because he thought these things are true, or because it would be beneficial for people to believe them?
An interview on the contrasting views of Mohists and Confucians on ethical duties and warfare.
How the Mohist principle of “inclusive care” leads to political order and (mostly) forbids the fighting of wars.
Disagreements between the Mohists and the Confucians: is seeking benefits the right way to approach life? What motivates us to act morally, care for our loved ones or a doctrine of impartiality?
How did the Mohists establish their consequentialist ethic of “impartial care (jian 'ai)”? Was this theory ultimately grounded in the will of Heaven?
An introduction to the Mozi, the founding text of an anti-elitist school of thought that tests social and political practices by the measure of “benefit.”
In our final episode on classical Confucianism, our interview guest tells us about the surprising moral depth of the concept of "etiquette"
Can classical Confucianism be redeemed from its reputation for rigidly hierarchical thinking when it comes to the relationship between men and women?
Can classical Confucian ideas be adapted to produce a theory of democracy fit for today's world?
Were Confucian ideas about Heaven, ritual, and fate driven by a religious attitude, or a naturalistic one?
Mengzi and Xunzi show that a Confucian political theory need not be idealistic.
An interview about the "resonant cosmos" in early Confucianism, and the role played by music in linking sages to the universe.
The role of knowing in Confucian ethics: should it be understood as “knowing how,” or even “knowing to,” rather than “knowing that”?
Morality is what makes us humans, for the Confucians. But does morality come from inside us, outside us, or both?
Xunzi, a thinker who shaped the course of Confucian philosophy by showing how deliberate effort can overcome our wicked natural tendencies.
Several ancient Chinese texts speak of an egoist and hedonist known as Yang Zhu: did he pose a coherent challenge to the Confucians and other ethicists?
In the Mengzi, the text that bears his name, Mengzi ("Mencius") holds that the human heart-mind is the wellspring of goodness.
Should the remarkable parallels between Aristotelian and Confucian ethics lead us to classify Confucianism as a type of “virtue ethics”?
In this interview, we learn how Kongzi become the pivotal sage of early Chinese history, and what new discoveries teach us about the Confucian tradition.
What does the Analects say about living as a human being? How are individuals embedded in society, and how do they develop their unique identities?
Confucianism puts relationships with family members at the core of their ethical thinking. Is this a strength or a weakness?
Lessons we can take from the teachings of Kongzi (Confucius) in the Analects: challenging authorities, adhering to “benevolence (ren),” and practicing “propriety (li)” in ritual and everyday life.
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.
1970s black feminists like Toni Cade Bambara, the Combahee River Collective, and Awa Thiam critique white feminist and black nationalist failures to recognize the unique struggle of the black woman.
Another Caribbean thinker, Walter Rodney of Guyana, explores Africana history from a Marxist perspective.