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Foundations Of Black Existentialism

Gordon first gained prominence through his 1995 book Bad Faith and Antiblack Racism. This work examined anti-black racism using existential phenomenological methods. A second major contribution appeared in 1997 with Existence in Black: An Anthology of Black Existential Philosophy. The anthology contains four parts featuring short chapters that sometimes take the form of phenomenological vignettes. Gordon defines bad faith as a coextensive phenomenon reflecting the metastability of the human condition. He describes it as denial of human reality and an effort to evade freedom or flight from responsibility. It represents a choice against choice and assertion of being the only point of view on the world. Gordon rejects notions of disembodied consciousness which he argues are forms of bad faith. He articulates a theory of the body-in-bad-faith instead. His approach also rejects authenticity discourses trapped in expectations of sincerity. He proposes critical good faith requiring respect for evidence and accountability in social relations. The question of individuality for black existentialists becomes showing that not all black people are the same. Themes of anguish, dread, freedom, absurdity, and death emerge through historical realities of anti-black racism and colonialism.

When was Lewis Gordon born?

Lewis Ricardo Gordon was born on the 12th of May 1962. He began his higher education journey at Lehman College, CUNY, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude.

What are the major books written by Lewis Gordon?

Lewis Gordon first gained prominence through his 1995 book Bad Faith and Antiblack Racism. His other major works include Existence in Black: An Anthology of Black Existential Philosophy published in 1997 and Freedom, Justice, and Decolonization released in 2021.

Where does Lewis Gordon currently work as a professor?

Currently, he serves as professor of Philosophy and Africana Studies at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Additional appointments include Visiting Euro philosophy Professor at Toulouse University, France, and Nelson Mandela Visiting professor in Political and International Studies at Rhodes University in South Africa between 2014 and 2016.

How did Lewis Gordon define bad faith in his philosophical work?

Gordon defines bad faith as a coextensive phenomenon reflecting the metastability of the human condition. He describes it as denial of human reality and an effort to evade freedom or flight from responsibility.

When was Fanon and the Crisis of European Man published by Lewis Gordon?

Most ideas from this framework first emerged in Fanon and the Crisis of European Man: An Essay on Philosophy and the Human Sciences published in 1995. This volume introduced new stages in Fanon studies by working with Fanon rather than writing about him.

Lewis Gordon.

Foundations Of Black Existentialism

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Common questions

When was Lewis Gordon born?

What are the major books written by Lewis Gordon?

Where does Lewis Gordon currently work as a professor?

How did Lewis Gordon define bad faith in his philosophical work?

When was Fanon and the Crisis of European Man published by Lewis Gordon?

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