Philosophy of Race

Philosophy of Race: An Introduction provides plainly written access to a new subfield that has been in the background of philosophy since Plato and Aristotle. The second edition is updated to include contemporary developments such as digital racisms, metaphysical othering and metaphysical racism, and the rise of populist movements. Its focus has also been expanded to address non-white racial groups in the Americas, Europe, and beyond, such as the Roma and Uighur people. Part I provides an overview of ideas of race and ethnicity in the philosophical canon, egalitarian traditions, race in biology, and race in American and Continental Philosophy. Part II addresses race as it operates in life through colonialism and development, social constructions and institutions, racism, political philosophy, gender, and populist movements. This book constructs an outline that will serve as a resource for students, nonspecialists, and general readers in thinking, talking, and writing about philosophy of race.   

“This book provides a thorough introduction to critical philosophy of race. Ranging from historical to contemporary philosophy and from theoretical to concrete issues, Zack expertly guides readers through important controversies concerning race and racism. Students will find the text accessible, and instructors will appreciate each chapter’s glossary and list of discussion questions. Philosophy of Race, An Introduction is a timely addition to a field that, as Zack claims, ‘moves at the speed of living history or current events.’” (Shannon Sullivan, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA)

“Naomi Zack’s Philosophy of Race, an Introduction displays Zack’s broad knowledge of the field that she helped pioneer.  Wide-ranging and clear, she engages history, politics, science, and society, putting on full display the complexity and interest of the subject.  Zack’s work here will make it the central text for teaching the subject.” (Ron Mallon, Washington University in St. Louis, USA)

“Naomi Zack’s book presents a panoramic view of race sweeping across centuries of philosophical thought, histories of immigration and assimilation, Brazilian, indigenous, and Hindu challenges to prevailing racial categories, and concluding with clarifying reflections on hot-button issues around identity politics and intersectionality. Epic in scope, Zack’s highly informative survey offers an indispensable map for understanding the rise of race in US politics.” (Cynthia Willett, Emory University, USA, and author of Irony in the Age of Empire: Comic Perspectives on Freedom and Democracy)

“The philosophy of race has recently developed into an important subfield of the discipline. In this lively and accessible introduction, Naomi Zack contextualizes and historicizes the emergence of this new subfield and shows how it is closely linked to the ongoing importance of race in everyday life. Covering an impressive amount of territory in time, space, and subject matter,Philosophy of Race: An Introduction will serve as a valuable primer for students new to the topic.” (Charles W. Mills, CUNY Graduate Center, USA)

“Naomi Zack never disappoints. Unlike other philosophical engagements with race that prioritize the historical views of whites, Zack synthesizes sociological data and history to show how power creates the economic and political realities confronting racialized people. Zack accounts for practically every philosophical theorization of race, feminism, colonialism, and poverty present in the literature. This book needs to be in the hands of every philosopher teaching race, and on the shelf of every theorist claiming to write in the philosophy of race.” (Tommy J. Curry, Texas A&M University, USA)

Naomi Zack is Professor of Philosophy at CUNY Lehman College (USA). She has taught at the University of Oregon and the University at Albany, SUNY. Her most recent books are The American Tragedy of COVID-19 (2021) and Progressive Anonymity: From Identity Politics to Evidence-Based Government (2020). Other recent books include Reviving the Social Compact: Inclusive Citizenship in an Age of Extreme Politics (2018) and her edited 51-essay Oxford Handbook on Philosophy and Race (2017).