Jorge J. E. Gracia

Provides an ontological characterization of texts, explores the issues raised by the identity of various texts, and presents a view of the function of authors and audiences, and of their relations to texts.

Ontological Status, Identity, Author, Audience

Texts

William Irwin

Aristotle analyzed the popular art of his time: the tragedies and epics. Why should philosophers today not do likewise? Perhaps we can learn something from children's stories by subverting the dominant paradigm of adult authority and admitting with Socrates that we don't know all the answers. Perhaps Batman has ethical lessons to teach that generalize beyond the pages of comic books. Is it better to like Mozart than it is to like Madonna? Kurt Cobain gave voice to the attitude of a generation, singing, 'Here we are, now entertain us.' Is entertainment a bad thing, or could it actually have value-and not just instrumental value?

Philosophy and the Interpretation of Pop Culture

A first-of-its-kind book that seriously and profoundly examines what it means philosophically to be Latino and where Latinos fit in American society. Offers a fresh perspective and clearer understanding of Latin American thought and culture, rejecting answers based on stereotypes and fear Takes an interdisciplinary approach to the philosophical, social, and political elements of Hispanic/Latino identity, touching upon anthropology, history, cultural studies and sociology, as well as philosophy Written by Jorge J. E. Gracia, one of the most influential thinkers of Hispanic/Latino descent

Philosophy and Social Identity

Latinos in America

Few--including director Mel Gibson--were prepared for the firestorm of controversy that followed the release of the long-awaited "The Passion of the Christ." This timely collection of essays explores the film's questions in-depth and expands on its themes.

The Cross, the Questions, the Controversy

Mel Gibson's Passion and Philosophy

The intellectual autobiography of a leading figure in the field of Latin American philosophy. In 1961, at the age of nineteen, Jorge J. E. Gracia escaped from the island of Cuba by passing himself off as a Catholic seminarian. He arrived in the United States with just a few spare belongings and his mother’s diamond ring secured in a hole in one of his shoes. With a Diamond in My Shoe tells the story of Gracia’s quest for identity—from his early years in Cuba and as a refugee in Miami to his formative role in institutionalizing the field of Latin American philosophy in the US academy. Committed to integrating into Anglo America without forgetting his roots, Gracia reflects on his struggles and successes as an immigrant and academic, bringing a philosopher’s eye to bear on his personal and professional development as a leading Latinx scholar. Jorge J. E. Gracia is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Literature at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. His many books include Painting Borges: Philosophy Interpreting Art Interpreting Literature; Images of Thought: Philosophical Interpretations of Carlos Estévez’s Art; and Identity, Memory, and Diaspora: Voices of Cuban-American Artists, Writers, and Philosophers, all published by SUNY Press.

A Philosopher's Search for Identity in America

With a Diamond in My Shoe

This book is just what it says it is: A theory of textuality divided into two parts, logical and epistemological.

The Logic and Epistemology

A Theory of Textuality

"What is race? What is ethnicity? Should we think of them as identities? Can they be effectively individuated? How are they related? How do the relations between them influence pressing issues concerned with social identity, gender, racism, assimilation, exploitation, justice, the law, and public policy? And how are the answers to these questions affected by the Black and Latino experience in the United States"—From the Preface This collection of new essays explores the relation between race and ethnicity and its social and political implications. Although much work has been done on the philosophy of race in the past century in the United States, the concept of ethnicity has only recently awoken the interest of American philosophers, and the relations between race and ethnicity remain largely unexamined. The discussion is divided into two parts dealing, on the one hand, with the nature and the relation between race and ethnicity and, on the other, with the social consequences of the complex relations between them. Part I explores in particular the debated topic of racial and ethnic identities: Does it make sense to speak of racial and ethnic identities, and especially of black and Latino identities? And if it does make sense, how should these identities be conceptualized, and how are they related to gender? Part II examines how race and ethnicity have influenced the lot of some social groups in significant ways: How do racially defined institutions deal with racial assimilation? How do different conceptions of race and ethnicity influence public policy and various forms of racism? How can exploited racial and ethnic groups be effectively recognized? And what is the role of affect in social justice as dispensed by the courts?

On Black and Latino Identity

Race or Ethnicity?

Explores the relationship between philosophy and art through the work of Cuban American artist Carlos Estévez.

Philosophical Interpretations of Carlos Estevez's Art

Images of Thought

Serves as a source for the exploration of many dimensions of the human experience in relation to other beings, ranging from machines and blueprints to mollusks and plants. This book presents the complex art installation of Cuban American artist Carlos Estévez, which deals with elaborate explorations on the metaphor of launching bottles to the sea. The artist launches one hundred drawings enclosed in bottles at different parts of the world at different times and occasions. After a short preface, acclaimed art critic and philosopher Jorge J. E. Gracia provides an introductory essay in order to suggest possible interpretive avenues that may be used to delve into the symbolism of the installation. The rest of the book consists of color reproductions of Estévez’s drawings, which are accompanied by English translations of the text found in the drawings, as well as transcriptions of the original Spanish text. Jorge J. E. Gracia is Distinguished Professor at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. His many books include Painting Borges: Philosophy Interpreting Art Interpreting Literature; Images of Thought: Philosophical Interpretations of Carlos Estévez’s Art; and Identity, Memory, and Diaspora: Voices of Cuban-American Artists, Writers, and Philosophers, all published by SUNY Press. David E. Johnson is Professor of Comparative Literature at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. He is the author of Kant’s Dog: On Borges, Philosophy, and the Time of Translation, also published by SUNY Press. Paula Cucurella is a PhD candidate in Comparative Literature at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

Bottles to the Sea

Carlos Estevez

Ilan Stavans

The essayist and cultural commentator Ilan Stavans and the analytic philosopher Jorge J. E. Gracia share long-standing interests in the intersection of art and ideas. Here they take thirteen pieces of Latino art, each reproduced in color, as occasions for thematic discussions. Whether the work at the center of a particular conversation is a triptych created by the brothers Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Andres Serrano's controversial Piss Christ, a mural by the graffiti artist BEAR_TCK, or Above All Things, a photograph by María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Stavans and Gracia's exchanges inevitably open out to literature, history, ethics, politics, religion, and visual culture more broadly. Autobiographical details pepper Stavans and Gracia's conversations, as one or the other tells what he finds meaningful in a given work. Sparkling with insight, their exchanges allow the reader to eavesdrop on two celebrated intellectuals—worldly, erudite, and unafraid to disagree—as they reflect on the pleasures of seeing.

Thirteen Ways of Looking at Latino Art

Comprised of thirteen articles by well-known authors, this book makes the case to philosophers that popular culture is worthy of their attention. Issues of concern include the distinction between high culture and popular culture, the aesthetic and moral value of popular culture, allusion and identification in popular culture, and special problems posed by the interpretation of popular culture. Popular art forms considered include: movies, television shows, comic books, children's stories, photographs, and rock songs.

Pablo De Greiff

The presence and impact of Hispanics/Latinos in the United States cannot be ignored. Already the largest minority group, by 2050 their numbers will exceed all the other minority groups in the United States combined. The diversity of this population is often understated, but the people differ in terms of their origin, race. language, custom, religion, political affiliation, education and economic status. The heterogeneity of the Hispanic/Latino population raises questions about their identity and their rights: do they really constitute a group? That is, do they have rights as a group, or just as individuals? This volume, addresses these concerns through a varied and interdisciplinary approach.

Ethnicity, Race, and Rights

Hispanics/Latinos in the United States

A provocative examination of the artistic interpretation of twelve of Borges’s most famous stories.

Philosophy Interpreting Art Interpreting Literature

Painting Borges

Philosophy and Literature in Latin America presents a unique and original view of the current state of development in Latin America of two disciplines that are at the core of the humanities. Divided into two parts, each section explores the contributions of distinguished American and Latin American experts and authors. The section on literature includes the literary activities of Latin Americans working in the United States, an area in which very little research has been demonstrated and, for that reason, will add an interesting new dimension to the field of Latin American studies.

A Critical Assessment of the Current Situation

Philosophy and Literature in Latin America

Timothy B. Noone

This comprehensive reference volume features essays by some of the most distinguished scholars in the field. Provides a comprehensive "who's who" guide to medieval philosophers. Offers a refreshing mix of essays providing historical context followed by 140 alphabetically arranged entries on individual thinkers. Constitutes an extensively cross-referenced and indexed source. Written by a distinguished cast of philosophers. Spans the history of medieval philosophy from the fourth century AD to the fifteenth century.

A Companion to Philosophy in the Middle Ages

Elizabeth Millán

Elizabeth Millán-Zaibert

Twenty-two leading Latin American philosophers are featured in this complete anthology on the human condition, values, and the search for identity. Bibliography.

The Human Condition, Values, and the Search for Identity

Latin American Philosophy for the 21st Century

Examines the place of individuation in the work of over 25 scholastic writers from when Arabic and Greek thought began to impact Europe, until scholasticism died out. Experts on particular authors contribute chapters that cover all the major figures and a representative few of the lesser. Other chapters survey the problem of individuation, the medieval legacy, Islamic and Jewish thought, and the continuing scholastic influence on modern philosophy. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The Later Middle Ages and the Counter-Reformation, 1150-1650

Individuation in Scholasticism

This volume provides a superb introduction to the philosophical, social, and political elements of Hispanic/Latino identity. It is an indispensable tool for anyone interested in issues that concern Hispanics/Latinos, social policy, and the history of thought and culture.

A Philosophical Perspective

Hispanic / Latino Identity

Containing thirteen articles, this book makes the case to philosophers that popular culture is worthy of their attention. It considers popular art forms such as movies, television shows, comic books, children's stories, photographs, and rock songs.

"What is race? What is ethnicity? Should we think of them as identities? Can they be effectively individuated? How are they related? How do the relations between them influence pressing issues concerned with social identity, gender, racism, assimilation, exploitation, justice, the law, and public policy? And how are the answers to these questions affected by the Black and Latino experience in the United States"—From the Preface This collection of new essays explores the relation between race and ethnicity and its social and political implications. Although much work has been done on the philosophy of race in the past century in the United States, the concept of ethnicity has only recently awoken the interest of American philosophers, and the relations between race and ethnicity remain largely unexamined. The discussion is divided into two parts dealing, on the one hand, with the nature and the relation between race and ethnicity and, on the other, with the social consequences of the complex relations between them. Part I explores in particular the debated topic of racial and ethnic identities: Does it make sense to speak of racial and ethnic identities, and especially of black and Latino identities? And if it does make sense, how should these identities be conceptualized, and how are they related to gender? Part II examines how race and ethnicity have influenced the lot of some social groups in significant ways: How do racially defined institutions deal with racial assimilation? How do different conceptions of race and ethnicity influence public policy and various forms of racism? How can exploited racial and ethnic groups be effectively recognized? And what is the role of affect in social justice as dispensed by the courts? Contributors: Linda Martín Alcoff, Syracuse University; K. Anthony Appiah, Princeton University; Robert Bernasconi, University of Memphis; J. Angelo Corlett, San Diego State University; J. L. A. García, Boston College; Jorge J. E. Gracia, University at Buffalo; Howard McGary, Rutgers University; Eduardo Mendieta, Stony Brook University; Susana Nuccetelli, University of Texas–Pan American; Kenneth Shockley, University at Buffalo; Diego A. von Vacano, Texas A & M University; Naomi Zack, University of Oregon

Jorge J. E. Gracia

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