Wow! eBook
What We Say, Who We Are: Leopold Senghor, Zora Neale Hurston, and the Philosophy of Language
Author(s): Parker English (Author)
- Publisher: Lexington Books (UK)
- Publication Date: 10 Nov. 2009
- Language: English
- Print length: 134 pages
- ISBN-10: 9780739126516
- ISBN-13: 0739126512
Book Description
In What We Say, Who We Are: Leopold Senghor, Zora Neale Hurston, and the Philosophy of Language, Parker English explores the commonality between Leopold Senghors concept of negritude and Zora Neale Hurstons view of Negro expression. For English, these two concepts emphasize that a persons view of herself is above all dictated by the way in which she talks about herself. Focusing on what he identifies as performism, English discusses the presentational/representational and externalistic/internalistic facets of performism as they relate to the ideas of Senghor and Hurston. English ends his work by closely examining Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God in light of his discussion of performism, and draws new, intriguing conclusions about the extent to which Hurstons main character exemplifies W.E.B. DuBoiss concept of double-consciousness. What We Say, Who We Are will certainly pique the interest of scholars interested in Africana studies, African-American literature, and the philosophy of language.
Editorial Reviews
Review
A groundbreaking exercise that demonstrates how the philosophy of language, often criticized as a purely ivory tower enterprise, may be applied in a positive manner to everyday life. Parker English helps us to interpolate the maxim, ”I am what I say,” with regard to such diverse areas as race, ethnicity, literature, music, acting, ritual, and friendship in manners that enrich our appreciation of human understanding. — Barry Hallen, Professor of Philosophy at Morehouse College and Associate in the W. E. B. DuBois Institute for African and African American Res
About the Author
Parker English is professor of philosophy at Central Connecticut State University.
