Disciplinary Decadence: Living Thought in Trying Times / Edition 1

by Lewis R. Gordon

Overview

In this book, philosopher and social critic Lewis R. Gordon explores the ossification of disciplines, which he calls disciplinary decadence. In response, he offers a theory of what he calls a teleological suspension of disciplinarity, in which he encourages scholars and lay intellectuals to pay attention to the openness of ideas and purposes on which their disciplines were born. Gordon builds his case through discussions of philosophy of education, problems of secularization in religious thought, obligations across generations, notions of invention in the study of ideas, decadence in development, colonial epistemologies, and the quest for a genuine postcolonial language. These topics are examined with the underlying diagnosis of the present political and academic environment as one in which it is indecent to think.

About the Author:
Lewis R. Gordon is Laura H. Carnell Professor of Philosophy and director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Social Thought and the Center for Afro-Jewish Studies at Temple University

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594512568
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/28/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Lewis R. Gordon is Professor of Philosophy, Africana Studies, and Judaic Studies at UConn and Europhilosophy Visiting Chair, Toulouse University, France. He will be the Nelson Mandela Distinguished Visiting Professor at Rhodes University in South Africa for 2014-2016. His publications include Her Majesty's Other Children (Rowman and Littlefield, 1997) which won the Gustavus Myer's Award for Outstanding Book on Human Rights.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     ix
Introduction: Disciplinary Decadence     1
Decadent Knowing and Learning     13
God Beneath     37
Obligations across Generations     49
Inventing Africa     63
Decadent Development     87
Prospero's Words, Caliban's Reason     107
Notes     133
References     145
Index     159
About the Author     173

Editorial Reviews

‘Philosophy, heal thyself!’ is the uncompromising prescription of Lewis Gordon's provocative new book. He throws down a bold challenge to the profession to revitalize itself by ending its Eurocentrism (especially its anti-Africanism), building networks to reach out to and learn from non-traditional constituencies, and above all recognizing that even on earth there are more things than are dreamt of in its philosophy.”—Charles W. Mills, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, University of Illinois at Chicago

“This book will leave no doubt in your mind as to the power and capabilities of Africana philosophy. Moving critically and constructively through problems of decadence and renewal in fields such as the philosophy of education, religion, ethics, African and Afro-Caribbean philosophy, Disciplinary Decadence is Africana philosophy in intellectual motion.”—Paget Henry, Professor of Africana Studies & Sociology, Brown University

From the Publisher