Cornel West and Philosophy (Africana Thought)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on Cornel West
Review: Cornel West & Philosophy: The Quest for Social Justice is easily the best book on Cornel West that I have read. The author, Clarence Johnson, takes his readers through West's thought on a really broad variety of matters and shows how they can best be seen as united (of at least all branches from the same tree). Johnson begins by explaining that West is best thought of as a prophetic pragmatist. This allows Johnson to see apparently quite diverse aspects of West's thought (including such things as West's critique of the silent acquiescence of black in Clarence Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court, West's apparently shifting positions during the time he was leaving Harvard, Wes's views on the black/Jewish conflicts, West's blending of theological and humanistic values, and West's peculiar form of Marxism) as all part of a coherent philosophy. Nowhere in the literature on West-and certainly not in West's writings themselves-is there nearly such a good statement of West's views or one that organizes them into such a readily comprehensible structure. So, for someone who is looking for a good clear understanding of what really drives West's sometimes apparently unconnected views on so many matters, this volume cannot be beaten. And because it is so well-written and clearly organized, everyone-including those with no training in philosophy or political theory-will have no difficulty in getting a firm grip on West's take on our current political situation and his views about where we should go from here. Furthermore, because it sheds new light on so many areas of West's thinking, even those who are well steeped in West's thought will learn a lot from this volume.
But Johnson is no mere expositor of West's thought. He also is a critic and a very good one. For what Johnson does is first try to find the best defense he can of West on any given position and then attack that position. There are, so far as I can see, no cheap shots in Johnson's critique of West. Rather, what the reader finds is a fair-minded discussion of some very serious flaws in West's position. I found it very helpful to have someone take on some of West's positions in a way that shows both their weaknesses and how one might go about correcting them to build a better, more sustainable, philosophically well-grounded position on America's most pressing problems. I hope Johnson will write more on these matters. We need to hear more from him about how America should address and redress its racist past, cleanse itself of its current racism, and go on to build a society where each is treated with dignity and where governments at all levels show everyone equal concern and respect and take measures to ensure that all have access to adequate basic goods so that each person has a decent chance to lead the sort of life that she judges is both rewarding and fulfilling.
One final observation. The book contains an absolutely excellent short summary of how deeply embedded racism is in the thought of some of the western establishment's most cherished thinkers, such as Locke, Hume, and Kant. Johnson shows how deeply racist such thinkers (particularly Kant) were while still allowing that some of their best ideas are of use to those who seek to uproot racism. Even if one had no interest in West or his ideas, the book would be worth reading for this penetrating analysis of how deeply racism affects the thought of thinkers who have done so much to shape the post-Enlightenment world. (I only wish Johnson had discussed Adam Smith's views here as well.)
So, I give this book my highest recommendation. It is the best available introduction to West's thought, teaches us all something about the strengths and weaknesses of West's ideas, and is just a joy to read. (Scholars of West will be glad to know that everything is properly cited, there is an fine bibliography, and a first rate index. Everyone will be amazed that Johnson packed so much material into a scant 182 pages of clearly written insightful text.) I eagerly await West's response to Johnson's fine volume.