Race and the Enlightenment

by Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze

Book Overview

Emmanuel Eze collects into one convenient and controversial volume the most important and influential writings on race that the European Enlightenment produced.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0631201378
• ISBN13: 9780631201373
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Incredibly interesting

This book collects, for the first time, writings by all of the major authors during the period of Enlightenment. Most readers will be shocked by the severe lack of politcal-correctness displayed by these writers, but none-the-less it gives one an accurate idea of what Europeans first impressions of non-whites were. Africa, the anarchaic tribal continent, was seen as both a wonder and a threat. Philosophers like Hegel were at once amazed and revolted to discover that these "strange creatures" on the "myterious continent" had yet to develop the wheel at the time of European expansion on that continent. Fascinating, shocking, but above all, a must for any true student of The Enlightenment.

A Must For Professors, and Students of Philosophy

I read this book in my African-American Philosophy class. I couldn't believe the writings of Hume, Kant and Hegel. I never stop to think that their philosophical systems were exclusive to Europeans. The Enlightenment philosophiers attitudes were shaped by travelers stories, geographical location, and lack of understanding about other cultures besides their own. Hegel give a justification for "colonialsim" and "imperialism" that will "knock your socks off." Kant and Hume recognizes Africas as "inferior to whites." This book is a must for philosophiers. I believe it will help students to understand the "exclusive" and arrogant attitudes of Enlightenment philosophiers.