Between Slavery and Freedom: Philosophy and American Slavery

Using the writings of slaves and former slaves, as well as commentaries on slavery, Between Slavery and Freedom explores the American slave experience to gain a better understanding of six moral and political concepts--oppression, paternalism, resistance, political obligation, citizenship, and forgiveness. The authors use analytical philosophy as well as other disciplines to gain insight into the thinking of a group of people prevented from participating in the social/political discourse of their times.

Between Slavery and Freedom rejects the notion that philosophers need not consider individual experience because philosophy is "impartial" and "universal." A philosopher should also take account of matters that are essentially perspectival, such as the slave experience. McGary and Lawson demonstrate the contribution of all human experience, including slave experiences, to the quest for human knowledge and understanding.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [129]-139) and index.

HOWARD MCGARY, Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University, has published widely in African American philosophy and social philosophy. BILL E. LAWSON, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Delaware, is the editor of and a contributor to The Underclass Question. His research has focused on issues regarding political obligations and political oppression.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Philosophy and American Slavery: An Introduction

Howard McGary and Bill Lawson

One. Oppression and Slavery

Bill Lawson

Two. Paternalism and Slavery

Howard McGary

Three. Resistance and Slavery

Four. Citizenship and Slavery

Bill Lawson

Five. Moral Discourse and Slavery

Six. Forgiveness and Slavery

Howard McGary

Notes

Bibliography

Index