Mexican Philosophy; Being a Misanthrope; Latina Feminist Philosophy

Essay and event on Mexican philosophy; Newcastle event; new date for cancelled event

Dear all,

On Wednesday evening, we are hosting our second in-person event of the year at the Lit and Phil library in Newcastle upon Tyne. The wonderful Ian James Kidd will be speaking on “Being a Misanthrope”. Non-misanthropes also welcome.

Tomorrow we are hosting a discussion on “Mexican Philosophy”. To coincide with it, we have just published “Being and Accident: A Mexican Ontology” by one of the speakers, Carlos Alberto Sánchez.

We have also rearranged the recently cancelled “Latina Feminist Philosophy”.

More on all this below…

Your Sunday Read
“Being and Accident: A Mexican Ontology” by Carlos Alberto Sánchez. Mexican philosophy, Sanchez argues, is a philosophical project that arises out of a need, specifically the need to challenge “a negative stereotype to which Mexicans had grown accustomed, namely, that given their unique historical situation, they were, in fact, inferior, or weak, or impotent, or hopeless”. Sanchez’s essay introduces us to the idea of “accident” as a central topic in Mexican ontology. If the Mexican has typically been positioned as accident by contrast to the West’s position as “substance” (i.e., unalterable or impervious to historical or political realities), Uranga wishes to turn the tables on this distinction, arguing instead that substance is the illusion and we are all accidents; we are all “always in between, always on the way, never a completed project, an accident and not a substance”. In this way, Mexican ontology seeks to make sense of Mexican life as human life. You can read Carlos’ essay here.

Event #1: Monday at 11am PDT/2pm EDT/7pm UK
“Mexican Philosophy”: This conversation between three scholars of Mexican philosophy (Carlos Alberto Sánchez, Amy A. Oliver, and Amy Reed-Sandoval) will introduce us to a philosophical tradition rooted in and framed by the history, geography, culture, and experience of Mexico and its people. Mexican philosophy contributes to philosophy understood globally and expands the canon of philosophy by introducing figures previously unknown or ignored. It contributes conceptual and methodological resources that can be brought to bear on issues of contemporary human concern; and, in affirming its Mexicanness, it reaffirms the existence and value of non-traditional, non-Eurocentric, and non-Anglo-American philosophical traditions. Full details and registration here.

Event #2: Wednesday at 6.30pm UK at the Lit and Phil Library, Newcastle upon Tyne
“Being a Misanthrope”: a talk by Ian James Kidd. Misanthropy – the moral condemnation of humankind – is very topical these days. There are many inspirations for a sense of the collective awfulness of humankind, from the failures to act on the global environmental crisis to the rise of far-right ideologies to the avoidable mass suffering of billions of humans and animals. But philosophers rarely talk about misanthropy as a doctrine. When they do, it is usually narrowly defined as a hatred of human beings or coupled to extreme proposals. In this event, Ian James Kidd will offer an overview of philosophical misanthropy, including his own definition (“the systematic condemnation of the moral character of humankind as it has come to be”), will address some common misconceptions, and will clarify how – and why – one may wish to be a misanthrope.
When: Wednesday 7th June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm (doors at 6.15pm)
Where: Lit and Phil, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
Cost: £5/£3 concessions - payable by cash or card on the door

Latina Feminist Philosophy Event - New Date
For those of you who were disappointed at the recent cancellation of our “Latina Feminist Philosophy” event due to speaker illness, it will now take place on Tuesday 27th June at the usual time. Full details and registration here.

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Wishing you all a lovely Sunday, wherever you are.

Anthony Morgan
Editor