Why the Struggle Against Coloniality Is Paramount to Latin American Philosophy

Periodical TitleAPA Newsletter on Hispanic/Latino Issues in Philosophy
Author(s)Grant J. Silva
AbstractThis article examines the importance of anti-colonial thought in Latin American philosophy. It argues that a focus on liberation from colonial structures and legacies fundamentally defines the Latin American philosophical tradition, even in thinkers not explicitly discussing colonization. The author suggests Latin American philosophy should not be seen as just the history of Western philosophy in Latin America, but a distinct way of philosophizing shaped by grappling with coloniality, as evidenced across diverse topics from identity to indigenous rights. A familial-historical model of ethnic philosophies is discussed as an anti-essentialist way of understanding the contingency of group identities while retaining their specificity. The article concludes that neglecting to engage coloniality in Latin American philosophy renders one an “ideologue” insensitive to lived realities. Overall, a liberatory imperative emerges as integral to authentic Latin American philosophical practice.
This content was generated by artificial intelligence using the text of the original work.
Pages8-12
Volume15
Issue1
KeywordsLatin American philosophy, colonialism, coloniality, liberation, identity
This content was generated by artificial intelligence using the text of the original work.
Date PublishedFall 2015
URLhttps://cdn.ymaws.com/www.apaonline.org/resource/collection/60044C96-F3E0-4049-BC5A-271C673FA1E5/HispanicV15n1.pdf
Open Access?Yes

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