History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China

Doris Garraway, an Associate Professor of French at Northwestern University, dives into the intricacies of the Haitian Revolution. She sheds light on the oppressive conditions in Saint-Domingue under colonial rule and the complex relationships within the enslaved society. The discussion highlights how Enlightenment ideas shaped revolutionary thought and the challenges of achieving true freedom. Furthermore, Garraway explores the paradox of establishing authority in the new nation while seeking international recognition, emphasizing the revolution's enduring legacy in global struggles for liberation.

Explore the poignant legacy of colonialism in Haiti through the eyes of Baron de Vastey, who passionately defends King Christophe's monarchy. Uncover the political turmoil following the revolution and the stark contrasts between leaders Dessalines and Pétion. Dive into the influential writings of Jean-Louis Vaté, whose arguments against slavery helped inspire abolitionist sentiments in both Europe and America, positioning Haiti as a beacon of hope for free blacks escaping systemic racism.

In an age of revolutions and revolutionary ideas, the Haitian Revolution of 1791-1804 stands out as the most radical of them all.

Quobna Ottobah Cugoano and Olaudah Equiano advance the goals of the abolitionist movement through a groundbreaking political treatise and an influential autobiography.

Ignatius Sancho, a pioneering voice in Africana thought and one of the first Black voters in British elections, and Benjamin Banneker, a notable African American mathematician and astronomer, delve into the power of their correspondence. They discuss Sancho's rise from humble beginnings to literary acclaim, emphasizing themes of emotion and justice. Banneker's bold letters to Thomas Jefferson challenge racial perceptions and advocate for shared humanity, while Sancho fiercely promotes anti-slavery sentiments and critiques social injustices.

Discover the life of Lemuel Haynes, a Revolutionary War veteran who championed the abolition of slavery through his unfinished essay on liberty. Explore the theological tensions in the New Divinity tradition regarding freedom and oppression. Delve into historical calls for universal liberty and the critique of tyranny in early America. Examine the moral complexities confronting 19th-century figures, revealing deep contradictions surrounding freedom and racism in a revolutionary context.

Phillis Wheatley astonishes colonial Americans with her exquisite and precocious poetry and reflects on the liberating power of the imagination.

Explore the intricate world of early Africana writing in English, where 18th-century black authors weave profound philosophical themes into autobiographical narratives and poetry. Discover the tragicomic elements in slave narratives that played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement. Engage with the poignant stories of literacy and identity from enslaved individuals, and hear the voices of early African American literature, like Jupiter Hammond, tackling complex themes of faith and survival amidst oppression.

Justin E.H. Smith joins us to discuss Anton Wilhelm Amo against the background of ideas about race in early modern philosophy, including Leibniz.

Anton Wilhelm Amo, brought to Germany from his native Ghana, defends a rigorous dualism of mind and body. Was this philosophy connected to his African origins?