SSAP 2019/2020 MEETING SCHEDULE
February 23, 2020: Delicia Kamins
Kamins is a fourth year doctoral student in the department of philosophy at Stony Brook University. Her research focuses on whether philosophical treatments of "motion" – specifically as described by Aristotle, Kant, Hegel and Whitehead – might inform epistemological conundrums within quantum mechanics.
“Technology and the Question of Being.”
Brief abstract:
The pervasiveness of technology in modern life has almost made us forget the ‘proper’ role of technology in human life. If we approach the question of what is the proper role of technology, responses might be of the sort “to make life easier,” “to increase our efficiency,” “to extend and enhance human skills,” etc. Indeed, these are true. But they are the proper role of technology in human life. To discover what is the proper role – and, how it is connected to the above-mentioned effects of technology – we need to start with the question of Being, specifically what it means to be human. This talk with focus on teaching the philosophy of technology not from the lens of technology and modern life, but rather, from the lens of what it means to be human; how technology is supposed to contribute to that inquiry; whether our use and development of technology has gone astray from this primary task, or is on task; and finally, has the permanence and pervasiveness of technology in modern life changed what it means to be human. I look forward to a lively discussion regarding technology and the issue of Being specifically as it relates to African American and the general African Diaspora.
“Technology and the Question of Being.”
Brief abstract:
The pervasiveness of technology in modern life has almost made us forget the ‘proper’ role of technology in human life. If we approach the question of what is the proper role of technology, responses might be of the sort “to make life easier,” “to increase our efficiency,” “to extend and enhance human skills,” etc. Indeed, these are true. But they are the proper role of technology in human life. To discover what is the proper role – and, how it is connected to the above-mentioned effects of technology – we need to start with the question of Being, specifically what it means to be human. This talk with focus on teaching the philosophy of technology not from the lens of technology and modern life, but rather, from the lens of what it means to be human; how technology is supposed to contribute to that inquiry; whether our use and development of technology has gone astray from this primary task, or is on task; and finally, has the permanence and pervasiveness of technology in modern life changed what it means to be human. I look forward to a lively discussion regarding technology and the issue of Being specifically as it relates to African American and the general African Diaspora.
January 19th: Karl Ellis Johnson
Dr. Karl Ellis Johnson is an Associate Professor of African American Studies, Chair and Co-Convener of the African Studies Group and Major, School of Humanities and Global Studies, Ramapo College of New Jersey. Dr. Johnson’s Temple University Ph.D. thesis was “Post World War II Social History of Black Philadelphia.” He is an expert on Sub-Saharan African Medieval Civilizations, Kingdoms and Culture; Black American Rap Hip-Hop Cultural Transfer to Africa.
“The Crash of 1929. Focus on Social and Political Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Using Black Americans as a Case Study”
“The Crash of 1929. Focus on Social and Political Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Using Black Americans as a Case Study”
NOVEMBER 2019: open forum
.Alfred E. Prettyman, Moderator of discussion.
“Capital and Ideology,” Thomas Picketty; “Why Not Socialism” G.A. Cohen
“Capital and Ideology,” Thomas Picketty; “Why Not Socialism” G.A. Cohen
October 2019: Philosophy and Religion in Africana Traditions Annual Conference (PRAT) conference
september 2019: open forum
Alfred E. Prettyman, Moderator of discussion.
“Feeling Race: Theorizing the Racial Economy of Emotions” Eduardo Bonilla Silva
Here is the article.
Paper Abstract:
In this presidential address, I advance a theoretical sketch on racialized emotions—the emotions specific to racialized societies. These emotions are central to the racial edifice of societies, thus, analysts and policymakers should understand their collective nature, be aware of how they function, and appreciate the existence of variability among emoting racial subjects. Clarity on these matters is key for developing an effective affective politics to challenge any racial order. After the sketch, I offer potential strategies to retool our racial emotive order as well as our racial selves. I end my address urging White sociologists to acknowledge the significance of racism in sociology and the emotions it engenders and to work to advance new personal and organizational anti-racist practices.
“Feeling Race: Theorizing the Racial Economy of Emotions” Eduardo Bonilla Silva
Here is the article.
Paper Abstract:
In this presidential address, I advance a theoretical sketch on racialized emotions—the emotions specific to racialized societies. These emotions are central to the racial edifice of societies, thus, analysts and policymakers should understand their collective nature, be aware of how they function, and appreciate the existence of variability among emoting racial subjects. Clarity on these matters is key for developing an effective affective politics to challenge any racial order. After the sketch, I offer potential strategies to retool our racial emotive order as well as our racial selves. I end my address urging White sociologists to acknowledge the significance of racism in sociology and the emotions it engenders and to work to advance new personal and organizational anti-racist practices.
