Kwame Anthony Appiah, a philosophy professor at NYU and a cosmopolitan thinker, discusses his unique upbringing, emphasizing the blend of local and global identities. He explores Ghana's political evolution, the complexities of nationalism versus cosmopolitanism, and the ethical dilemmas of cultural heritage. Appiah also shares personal anecdotes, from sheep farming in New Jersey to chairing the Booker Prize, and reflects on the significance of openness in personal growth and the joys of literary exploration.
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Atheism in Ghana
Atheism is a relatively modern phenomenon.
The lack of public arguments against theism may contribute to fewer atheists in Ghana.
insights INSIGHT
Interfaith Marriages in Ghana
Interfaith marriages are common in Ghana, suggesting a focus on a general spiritual belief rather than specific doctrines.
Emphasis is on a relationship with the spiritual world, not strict adherence to religious dogma.
insights INSIGHT
Ghanaian Fallibilism
Ghanaians possess a certain fallibilism, acknowledging the difficulty of knowing things with certainty, especially about the spiritual realm.
This open-mindedness extends to other areas of life, as seen in their portfolio approach to healthcare, combining traditional healing with modern medicine.
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In this book, Alain Bertaud challenges traditional urban planning paradigms by advocating for a market-driven approach. He argues that cities function best when market forces guide their development rather than top-down planning. Bertaud emphasizes the importance of mobility and affordability, critiques restrictive zoning laws, and suggests that urban planners should act as facilitators providing infrastructure and policy frameworks to support market operations. The book integrates empirical evidence with theoretical insights, highlighting the role of housing markets in shaping urban landscapes and advocating for flexible land use policies to adapt to population growth and economic changes.
Born to a Ghanaian father and British mother, Kwame Anthony Appiah grew up splitting time between both countries — and lecturing in many more — before eventually settling in America, where he now teaches philosophy at New York University. This, along with a family scattered across half-a-dozen countries, establishes him as a true cosmopolitan, a label Appiah readily accepts. Yet he insists it is nonetheless possible to be a cosmopolitan patriot, rooted in a place, while having obligations and interests that transcend one’s national identity.
He joins Tyler to discuss this worldly perspective and more, including whether Africa will secularize, Ghanian fallibilism, teaching Jodie Foster, whether museums should repatriate collections, Karl Popper, Lee Kuan Yew, which country has the best jollof rice, the value of writing an ethical advice column, E.T. Mensah, Paul Simon, the experience of reading 173 novels to judge the Man Booker prize, and what he’s learned farming sheep in New Jersey.
We're coming to New York City! Join us for a live podcast recording with Alain Bertaud on September 9th. To learn more and register for the event, click here.
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