From American Empire to América Cósmica through Philosophy

Terrance MacMullan is professor of philosophy at Eastern Washington University.

• Introduction: Inter-American Philosophy and the Hope for a Greater AmericaPart I: Perils and Possibilities of Inter-American Philosophy Chapter 1: Prospero’s ReflectionChapter 2: Inter-American Philosophic Unity as Fact, Propaganda, or Legitimate AspirationChapter 3: Inter-American Philosophical Affinities in the 19th CenturyChapter 4: Early Pragmatist Affinities within Inter-American PhilosophyPart II: Inter-American Philosophy as Resistance to PropagandaChapter 5: The Stars and Stripes over Plaza de las ArmasChapter 6: Scrying Prospero’s Empire: Inter-American Philosophy and Imperial PropagandaChapter 7: Confronting the Seven League Giant: Martí and Rodó on Inter-American Philosophy as Resistance to PropagandaChapter 8: José Vasconcelos and Pragmatism as Gunship Philosophy Chapter 9: Pedro Albizu Campos as the Socratic Gadfly of American Empire Part III: Inter-American Philosophy as a Legitimate AspirationChapter 10: Gloria Anzaldua and Confronting the Gringo Doppelganger

This book is the culmination of MacMullan's research on a broader conception of American philosophy. The expanded notion of “American” philosophy not only makes sense, but it is one of the most promising present ventures in dealing with the lives and problems of people across the Americas. The book opens up an important dialogue between the American pragmatist traditions and Latin American philosophers that have been ignored, such as Vaz Ferreira, Pedro Albizu Campos, and Risieri Frondizi. More importantly, it introduces the perspective of these philosophers on both the virtues and the vices of the United States. This is the much-needed critical perspective that the humanities should encourage today. This book is an example of what true Inter-American philosophy should be. It is a demonstration of the largely unexplored benefits of “rubbing” philosophical sister traditions that have much in common and much to learn from their differences. MacMullan masterfully establishes connections and bridges between American traditions and opens the possibility of new avenues of future research. This is an important contribution to scholarship and of interest to a wide audience concerned about the present and future of the Americas.