Philosophy of Latin America

Does Latin America have a philosophy of its own? From the point of view of the often assumed universal character of philosophy, the question appears to be senseless. Not so to many - perhaps most - Latin American philosophers. The question is raised, in several chronicles, and clearly stems from the socio-economic and cultural history of the continent. For hundreds of years, European powers, Portugal and Spain in particular, have dominated the socio-economic life, political system and the cultural expressions of countries in Latin America. Europeans have imposed upon them their languages and religious beliefs, with Christian philosophy dominating the scene from the middle of the 16th century onwards. No wonder then, that in the wake of colonialism, questions of the development of an independent economy, a just political system, the relief from poverty and a specific Latin American cultural identity are being raised. These questions are linked to philosophy because philosophical reflection is part and parcel of most cultures. In most contributions collected in this volume, the influence from European and American philosophy can be felt. Remarkably, ten out of thirteen philosophers feel that the working out of a genuine Latin American local, national and continental cultural identity is a challenge to philosophy. This volume contains articles on topics within a variety of disciplines: political philosophy, ethics, history of philosophy, formal logic, philosophy of science and technology, as well as philosophical interpretation of literature. It is relevant to a large audience of philosophers and researchers in these disciplines.

This volume contains articles on topics within a variety of disciplines: political philosophy, ethics, history of philosophy, formal logic, philosophy of science and technology, as well as philosophical interpretation of literature. It is relevant to philosophers and researchers in these disciplines. It addresses the question of a genuine Latin American local, national and continental cultural identity being a challenge to philosophy.

Preface; G. Fløistad. Introduction; G. Fløistad. Philosophy in Latin America in the 20th Century; E. Dussel. The Reception of Analytical Philosophy in Latin America; F. Salméron. La Philosophie Contemporaine en Amérique Latine; R.V. Rodríguez. La Philosophie Argentine au XXe Siècle; S.A. Jafella. Philosophy in Contemporary Colombia (1930-1994); D.H. Restrepo. La Philosophie au Chili; JU. Estrella. A Phenomenological Reading of the Andes: Toward the Desublimation of the "Cholo"; J. Sanjinés. La Discussion Contemporaine entre l'Ethique du Discours et l'Ethique de la Libération; R. Maliandi. Muere o Sobrevive la filosofía en el Ecuador? Razones de su descrédito y propuestas para su renacimiento; C. Paladines. Truth and Realism : A Current Debate in Latin America; L. Olivé. Philosophy of Science and Technology: A Personal Report; M. Bunge. On Some Recent Undecidability and Incompleteness Results in the Axiomatized Sciences; N.C.A. da Costa, F.A. Doria. Meta-Technics as the Philosophical Expression of the New World; E.M. Vallenilla. Index.