Phil / Pas 516 - Cornel West's Pragmatism

Fitzhugh Mullins

PHIL/PAS 516

Dr. Masolo

10/8/15

The Ethos of Pragmatism

        Cornel West has proven to be one of the most influential intellectuals of our time. As an African-American he has been a model citizen for his community, constantly striving for the betterment of all African-Americans. One such way he was been proactive in this quest is through his outspoken promotion of African-American philosophy. In his own words, West claims that "African-American philosophy is the interpretation of Afro-American history, highlighting the cultural heritage and political struggles, which provides desirable norms that should regulate responses to particular challenges presently confronting Afro-Americans" (Lott, 11). These 'norms' that he speaks of are simply a practical means of guiding African-Americans through contemporary struggles. West's philosophical approach is pragmatic in almost every sense of the word. Like any great philosopher he is able to extrapolate on other philosopher's theories by accepting or objecting their views. As West continiously strives to provide a concrete understanding of his philosophy, he offers a comprehensive guideline for how one should interpret and implement his African-American philosophy.

        To not call Cornel West a pragmatist would be akin to denying his African heritage. West has not only applied pragmatism to his philosophies, but has even written a book titled The American Evasion of Philosophy: The Geneology of Pragmatism. In the book, West discusses how "philosophical interpretation is an activity of understanding which makes explicity what implicit people are" (West, 8). West takes that theme of philosophical interpretation and applies it to his own pragmatism. Cornel West's very definition of African-American philosophy is indicative of his pragmatic application of philosophy. He embodies this pragmatic approach to philosophy as he aims to remove the abstract and leave in its wake a concrete set of applications for advancing individuals. West is constantly finding ways to not only advance African-American philosophy, but also the Afro-American experience as a whole.

        As an outspoken activist, West is very vocal with his philosophical opinions. West embodies the essential qualities of a pragmatist by not simply lecturing on abstract theories and metaphysical ideals, but instead deals with concrete philosophical issues plauging our society. In particular, West focuses his efforts on the plight of African-Americans and various solutions to better themselves. That is not to say that he does not weigh in on national socio-political issues in America. On the contrary, West is an active member of The Democratic Socialists of America. At times he is arguably too outspoken in his convictions, consistently demonstrating civil disobedience. Having been arrested several times, even as recent as this year, Cornel West has never been one to shy away from standing up for what he believed in. Just like Thoreua who was influenced by Emerson, West genuinely believes in the power of civil disobedience and the positive implications it carries. This idea of civil disobedience has been perpetuated by West throughout his political career. However, West is not simply being defiant. On the contrary, he is seeking to hold those accountable and bridge the gap between the have and have-nots. His ultimate goal is not to shame those responsible for injustice, but to highlight where they went wrong and what they can do to change their mistake. West's entire ethos is to create a communal process where it not only self-corrects society, but promotes rational and coherent individuals. These individuals are the ones charged with the responsibility of spreading that pragmatic philosophy, while also being a model of love and compassion. No one better understands the difficulty of this task better than West himself, who has spent a career synthesizing and applying the hardships of African-Americans to American society. But, Cornel West is no radical. He simply wants justice for those who have been oppressed, namely African-Americans.

        Wants to make not only his work, but the work of those before him entirely clear. By removing any obscurity, West allows his readers to take text and physically apply it to daily life. The removal of abstract thought and replacement of concrete practice is what makes Cornel West such a pragmatist. According to West, "the normative function of philosophy is critical to cultural expression, societal thought, and components of the discipline"(companion, ). Particularly important to West because he often has to look into the past to develop his ideas for moving forward.   Again, in his own words, West asserts that,"Afro-American philosophy diachronically reconstructs the Afro-American past and critically evaluates Afro-American responses to crucial challenges in the present...It attempts to understand the Afro-American experience in order to enhance and enrich the lives of Afro-Americans; it demands personal integrity and political action.""

        Unlike most contemporary philosophers though, West puts his teachings into action. He is a man who stands up for what he believes in and holds his convictions to be the absolute truth. He prides himself on his ability to relate to the common man and be able to call any man, even his enemies, his "brother". That personal philosophy of protecting one's own freedoms and reliance on knowledge places West under the same ideologies as Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson, a man who was a major proponent of self-realization and self-reliance, always adhered to the idea that man can better himself no matter what. Emerson also believed in justified action and being able to teach individuals to not onlt think for themselves, but for the betterment of their community. This same ideology is what has pushed Cornel West for so long. He too believes that "exceptional individuals qua America can overcome all obstacles, solve all problems, go beyond all limitations" (West, 14). West and Emerson both agree upon the theodicy of optimism, moralism, and activism. Despite the two men attempting to advance two very different social groups, they share the same personal philosophy. This pragmatic approach to social inclusion and justice is what makes the two philosophers so alike. Their ability to see the fundamental essence of man and place his potential above all else is what unites the two philosophers.

         In order to better understand Cornel West as a pragmatist and his connection to Ralph Waldo Emerson, it is imperative to define pragmatism in a philosophical context. Pragmatism is a philosophical movement with origins dating back to the 19th century and Emerson at the helm. The movement marked a turn when philosophers began to examine theories, not just for their own sake, but for their practical application. Philosophers of this movement were more concerned with how well an idea/theory worked rather than the properties of the theory as in the past.In West's own words, he believes that pragmatism is "future oriented instrumentalism that tries to deploy thought as a weapon to enable more effective solution" (West, 23). This transition marks the turn from simply studying theories to evaluating theories for their practical consequences.