In this debate-format book, four philosophers-Joshua Glasgow, Sally Haslanger, Chike Jeffers, and Quayshawn Spencer-articulate contrasting views on race. Each author presents a distinct viewpoint on what race is, and then replies to the others, offering theories that are clear and accessible to undergraduates, lay readers, and non-specialists, as well as other philosophers of race.
Exploring the complexities of racial categories, Joshua Glasgow challenges the binary debate of conserving versus eliminating these classifications. He proposes a broader spectrum of options that can enrich our understanding and discourse surrounding race. By examining societal practices and institutions, the book encourages a nuanced conversation about how we think about race, moving beyond simplistic choices to a more comprehensive theoretical framework.
The book features a comprehensive table of contents that organizes its chapters and themes, providing readers with a clear roadmap of the material covered. Each section is thoughtfully arranged to enhance understanding and facilitate navigation through the topics discussed. This structured approach allows for easy reference and a better grasp of the book's overall message and insights.
"While navigating his own mother's cancer diagnosis, the author explores how we might find solace in the fact that we will die. Traditionally, philosophical answers to this question center on two possibilities. First, some argue that death is not bad for the one who dies, because they won't exist after once they are dead. Second, others argue that because immortality would be bad, death has considerable upside. Finding these two answers less than satisfying, the author explores a third option. This third source of solace starts with the idea that insofar as our lives are worth being grateful for, they must have a value. This book argues that because life is implicated in all of our good projects and relationships, its value radiates out to all of life's parts, be they good or bad. And because passing away is one of the parts of life, it gets some of this radiant value. Finally, just as we are grateful for the value of our lives, so we can affirm this value in passing away. Gratitude is not the most fitting way of affirming the value in death, since passing away is also bad for us by depriving us of life's good opportunities. A more fitting affirmation of the value that death borrows from life, in a context where passing away also visits so much badness upon us, is to take some solace in the fact that our passing away has this portion of positive value"-- Provided by publisher