Latinos in America : philosophy and social identity / Jorge J.E. Gracia.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gracia, Jorge J. E.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hispanic Americans--Ethnic identity.

Hispanic Americans.

Hispanic Americans--Social conditions.

Hispanic Americans--Philosophy.

Ethnicity--United States--Philosophy.

Ethnicity.

Citizenship--United States--Philosophy.

Citizenship.

United States--Ethnic relations--Philosophy.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (272 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Malden, MA : Blackwell Pub., 2008.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book seriously and profoundly examines what it means philosophically to be Latino, and where Latinos fit in American society.

A first-of-its-kind book that seriously and profoundly examines what it means philosophically to be Latino and where Latinos fit in American society. Offers a fresh perspective and clearer understanding of Latin American thought and culture, rejecting answers based on stereotypes and fear Takes an interdisciplinary approach to the philosophical, social, and political elements of Hispanic/Latino identity, touching upon anthropology, history, cultural studies and sociology, as well as philosophy Written by Jorge J. E. Gracia, one of the most influential thinkers of Hispanic/Latino descent What is it to be Latino? What is the place of Latinos in America? And how do Latinos think about themselves and their identity? This is the first book to ask and answer these questions in a philosophical context. It rejects answers based on stereotypes that feed the fear generated in both the Latino and non-Latino population by the enormous growth of Latino numbers in the United States. And it proposes a new way of thinking about Latinos based on a familial-historical view that allows for negotiation, accommodation, and change. The task is accomplished in three parts. The first goes to the source of misunderstandings concerning Latino identity, the problem of Latino identification, and the significance of the two general labels used to refer to Latinos, 'Latinos' and 'Hispanics'. The second part explores the problems encountered by Latinos in American society, paying particular attention to the marketplace, affirmative action, and language rights. The third part looks into who Latinos think they are by proposing an original conception of Latino philosophy with roots in Latin America, and by discussing the place it occupies in American and world philosophy.

Contents:

Preface: The Latino challenge

Latino/a identities

Identities : general and particular

Individuation : circularity and demarcation

Labels : politics and names

Latinos/as in society

Marketplace : survival and flourishing

Affirmative action : meaning and justification

Linguistic rights : language and children

Latino/a philosophy

Philosophy : Latino vs. American

Canon : place and future

History : role and approach

Conclusion: Latinos in America.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [211]-238) and index.

ISBN:

9786612341984

9781282341982

1282341987

9780470695746

0470695749

9780470696484

0470696486

OCLC:

609849495