Cornel West, born Cornel Ronald West in 1953, is an American philosopher, theologian, activist and public intellectual working in the traditions of pragmatism, existentialism and Africana philosophy alongside a persistent Christian socialist commitment. He is best known for his 1993 book Race Matters, which examines the roles of race, class and democracy in American life, and for a long career as a public voice on racial justice, drawing on the pragmatist tradition of John Dewey and William James while insisting philosophy remain engaged with lived political struggle. West has taught at Harvard, Princeton and Union Theological Seminary among other institutions and has combined academic philosophy with sustained activism, including a 2024 independent campaign for President of the United States.
Facts
Notable Publication TraditionNeopragmatism, democratic socialism, the black church tradition 1 In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Cornel West (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationEarly life and education section, first sentence (birth date)
West was born on June 2, 1953, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and grew up in Sacramento, California, where he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School.
Early life and education section, first sentence (birthplace)
West was born on June 2, 1953, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and grew up in Sacramento, California, where he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School.
Lead section, second paragraph, sentence on his most influential books
Among his most influential books are Race Matters (1993) and Democracy Matters (2004).
Lead section, first paragraph, sentence on his intellectual traditions
A socialist, West draws intellectual contributions from multiple traditions, including Christianity, the black church, democratic socialism, left-wing populism, neopragmatism, and transcendentalism.
Lead section, first sentence
Cornel Ronald West (born June 2, 1953) is an American philosopher, theologian, activist, and public intellectual.
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