The Critical Pragmatism of Alain Locke A Reader on Value Theory, Aesthetics, Community, Culture, Race, and Education

This book provides a comprehensive overview of Alain Locke's pragmatist philosophy. It aims to capture the radical implications of Locke's approach within pragmatism, the critical temper embedded in Locke's works, the central role of power and empowerment of the oppressed, and the concept of broad democracy Locke employed. Arguing that the school of thought Locke initiated is best described as critical pragmatism, the well-known philosopher and Locke scholar, Leonard Harris, provides a clear and thorough introduction to Locke's thought that will be useful to students and scholars alike. At a time when critical theory in all forms_post-Marxist, legal, race, and gender theory_is undergoing a major reassessment, this volume is especially timely. Locke's critical pragmatism arguably avoids the pitfalls of critical theory, anticipates its tremendous contribution to human liberation, and offers an alternative to the limitations of classical pragmatism. This volume introduces unique individual interpretations of Locke and critical reflections on his philosophy. Each author, in the spirit of Locke's critical temper, offers their own contribution to extremely difficult issues.

Rudolph A. Cain is professor of human services and education at Empire State College. Blanche Radford Curry is an associate professor of philosophy at Fayetteville State University. Jane Duran is a fellow in the Department of Philosophy and lecturer in the humanities at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Astrid Franke is an assistant professor of American studies at the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Universitat in Frankfurt. Nancy Fraser is professor of political science at the Graduate Faculty of the New School for Social Research. Segun Gbadegesin is professor and chairman of the Department of Philosophy at Howard University. Judith M. Green is an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Fordham University. Talmadge C. Guy is assistant professor of adult education in the Department of Adult Education at the University of Georgia. LaVerne Gyant is director of the Center for Black Studies and assistant professor in continuing adult education at Northern Illinois University. Leonard Harris is professor of philosophy at Purdue University. Clevis Headley is an associate professor of philosophy at Florida Atlantic University. Mark Helbling is associate professor of American studies at the University of Hawaii. Richard Keaveny holds a master's degree in African American history from the University of Western Ontario. Verner D. Mitchell is an associate professor of English at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Charles Molesworth is professor of English at Queens College, New York. Greg Moses is assistant professor of philosophy at Marist College. Sally J. Scholz is an assistant professor of philosophy at Villanova University. Richard Shusterman is a professor of philosophy and chairman of the Department of Philosophy at Temple University. Beth J. Singer is professor emerita of Brooklyn College. Earl L. Stewart is a professor in the Department of Black Studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Kenneth W. Stikkers is chair and professor of philosophy at Southern Illinois University. Stephen Lester Thompson is an assistant professor of philosophy at Howard University. Rudolph V. Vanterpool is professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy of California State University, Dominguez Hills. He is also a faculty associate in the department of Africana Studies. Paul Weithman is an assistant professor of philosophy at Notre Dame University.