Comparative Philosophy without Borders - by Arindam Chakrabarti & Ralph Weber (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Comparative Philosophy without Borders presents original scholarship by leading contemporary comparative philosophers, each addressing a philosophical issue that transcends the concerns of any one cultural tradition. By critically discussing and weaving together these contributions in terms of their philosophical presuppositions, this cutting-edge volume initiates a more sophisticated, albeit diverse, understanding of doing comparative philosophy. Within a broad conception of the alternative shapes that work in philosophy may take, this volume breaks three kinds of boundaries: between cultures, historical periods and sub-disciplines of philosophy such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy.

As well as distinguishing three phases of the development of comparative philosophy up to the present day, the editors argue why the discipline now needs to enter a new phase. Putting to use philosophical thought and textual sources from Eurasia and Africa, contributors discuss modern psychological and cognitive science approaches to the nature of mind and topics as different as perception, poetry, justice, authority, and the very possibility of understanding other people.

Comparative Philosophy without Borders demonstrates how drawing on philosophical resources from across cultural traditions can produce sound state-of-the-art progressive philosophy. Fusing the horizons of traditions opens up a space for creative conceptual thinking outside all sorts of boxes.

Review Quotes

Arindam Chakrabarti and Ralph Weber, in their inspirational Introduction and Afterword, present a defining manifesto for a borderless new philosophy. These documents powerfully describe the hope, vitality, and promise of comparative philosophy as a prelude to philosophy's post-comparative future. Every philosopher has a duty to study them.
Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Despite the title, the project undertaken here is not about comparative philosophy, at any rate not in the sense in which that label is usually understood. Rather, it is about philosophy without any borders, and it not only describes such ways but also demonstrates them in a fascinating way.

The volume draws together scholars working in a variety of traditions, and offers a clear expression of what comparative philosophy can contribute to contemporary philosophical discourse. The individual essays show us what can be achieved when cultural, historical and disciplinary boundaries while respected, are not treated as straightjackets. The editors have made a signal contribution by their effort!

About the Author

Arindam Chakrabarti is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA.

Ralph Weber is Assistant Professor for European Global Studies at the University of Basel, Switzerland.