Contrary to popular belief, philosophy has not remained stagnant since the time of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Hegel. It continues to thrive, generating remarkable works known for their precision, depth, and diversity. From disciplines like modal epistemology to more mainstream areas such as feminism and ethics, contemporary thinkers are contributing to the finest accomplishments of human intellect.
Cornel West
Cornel West is a prominent figure in the field of social philosophy, known for his innovative work in “neopragmatism.” This philosophical approach emphasizes the intersection of race and class in American society. In 1980, West made history as the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University.
West has authored influential works, including “Race Matters” (1994), where he leverages his moral authority to address issues of race and society. Another significant socio-political text by West is “Democracy Matters” (2004).
In addition to his scholarly contributions, West is widely recognized for his frequent appearances on popular talk shows like CNN and The Colbert Show. He has even been parodied on Saturday Night Live. Currently, West holds the position of Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
Gayatri Spivak
Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, one of the most influential contemporary philosophers from the Indian subcontinent, has dedicated her career to challenging post-colonial theory. Her critique, “Can the Subaltern Speak?”, introduced the concept of the subaltern, focusing on marginalized populations existing beneath prevailing social and hegemonic power structures. She is also recognized for her translation of Jacques Derrida’s De la Grammatologie, a seminal work that laid the groundwork for Deconstructionism. Spivak contributed a significant introduction to this translation. Her exceptional contributions to literary and cultural theory have been acknowledged through prestigious awards such as the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy and India’s Padma Bhushan. As a founding member of the Institute for Comparative Literature and Society at Columbia University, she imparts her knowledge through teaching.
Martha Nussbaum
Martha Nussbaum, a professor at the University of Chicago, has made significant strides in addressing the gender disparity that exists in certain fields, particularly those dominated by men. Originally from New York, Nussbaum is a passionate advocate for women’s rights and her perspectives on feminism are both detailed and thought-provoking.
Nussbaum’s extensive body of work has solidified her reputation as one of the most industrious and prolific philosophers in the fields of ethics and political science. Her contributions to the discourse on animal rights, emotions, and LGBTQ+ rights have been significant and influential.
In a field where men dominate significantly more than in hardcore sciences, Martha Nussbaum addresses this inequality in two distinctive ways. Originally from New York, she currently holds a professorship at the University of Chicago. Nussbaum is a dedicated and zealous proponent of women’s rights, and her perspectives on feminism are detailed, daring, and consistently thought-provoking. Her public disagreement with Judith Butler, a feminist philosopher of a different ideological orientation, in the late 1990s, became a historic moment that ultimately propelled the feminist movement to new heights. Additionally, her extensive body of work establishes her as one of the most industrious and prolific philosophers in the fields of ethics and political science, with significant contributions to the discourse on animal rights, emotions, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Judith Butler
Judith Butler has had a profound influence on feminism and gender philosophy since the release of her seminal works, including “Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity” and “Bodies That Matter: On the Discursive Limits of Sex.” She is widely acknowledged for formulating a theory centered on the societal construction of gender. Influenced by the philosopher Michel Foucault, Butler has referenced his ideas in her arguments, asserting that the language of gender has been enforced out of necessity by those in power to suppress any departure from heterosexuality.
In addition to being a prominent advocate for LGBTQ issues, Butler, who is of Jewish descent, has been an outspoken critic of Israeli politics. This stance resulted in certain Israeli leaders protesting her selection for the Theodor Adorno Prize, an esteemed award honoring exceptional accomplishments in philosophy.
John McDowell
John McDowell, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, aligns himself with the esteemed tradition of anti-philosophers. This tradition, championed by Ludwig Wittgenstein, aims not to solve philosophical problems, but to dissolve them, arguing that these problems are not genuine problems to begin with.
Hailing from South Africa, McDowell showcases an exceptional philosophical range, drawing on theories from Kant to Wittgenstein and from Hegel to Sellars. In addition to his anti-philosophy, McDowell also embraces a degree of pragmatism. Pragmatism, in this context, can be understood as the perspective that the effectiveness of theories in explaining reality is more significant than their truth.
Thomas Nagel
Thomas Nagel, a renowned philosopher based in the United States, was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia). Currently, he holds the position of professor of philosophy and law at New York University, a role he has occupied since 1980. Nagel’s thought-provoking essay, “What is it like to be a bat?”, has had a significant impact on how philosophers perceive the human mind. This essay challenges the concept of reductionism, which asserts that mental states are merely variations of brain or physical states.
Nagel is also widely recognized as a public intellectual. One of his most notable works is the essay “War and Massacre,” in which he strongly criticizes American war policies in Vietnam during the early 1970s. Nagel’s contributions to philosophy and his critical analysis of societal issues have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the field.
Slavoj Žižek
Renowned for his unique approach to psychoanalytic philosophy and cultural criticism, Žižek fearlessly critiques both the political right and the liberal left in his analysis of anti-capitalism and neo-liberalism. Žižek’s career has primarily focused on developing a school of thought based on authentic experiences, which he calls “The Real”. His work is notable for encompassing the scholarly masterpiece The Sublime Object of Ideology (1989) to the more accessible and contrasting The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology (2012). By embracing popular cultural themes and integrating them into philosophical discourse, he has gained widespread cultural recognition. Žižek has been dubbed a “celebrity philosopher,” the “Elvis of Cultural Theory,” and “the most dangerous philosopher in the West.” He is a faculty member at New York University.
David Chalmers
Chalmers, an unconventional philosopher associated with the New York University group of prominent philosophers, also holds a teaching position at the Australian National University. His book, The Conscious Mind, has been praised by the press as one of the best books of its year of publication. In this work, he presents his magnum opus, reviving the long-dormant worldview of dualism dating back to thinkers like Rene Descartes from the 16th century. He labels his philosophy as ‘naturalistic dualism’, arguing that the properties of the mind differ significantly from those of the physical world.
Saul Kripke
Saul Kripke, an esteemed American philosopher and emeritus professor at Princeton University, has made significant contributions to various branches of philosophy, including language, logic, mathematics, metaphysics, and epistemology. His influence in the philosophical realm was highlighted when he was ranked among the top ten most influential philosophers of the past two centuries in a recent survey.
Kripke gained widespread recognition through his seminal work, “Naming and Necessity.” In this work, he argues that certain true statements are inherently necessary and cannot be false, similar to mathematical truths. However, unlike mathematical truths, these statements require empirical validation rather than mere armchair reasoning. Kripke’s unique interpretation of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s ideas has been referred to in philosophical circles as ‘Kripkestein’.
Gu Su
Chinese philosopher Gu Su holds a challenging position as he introduces liberal philosophies into Chinese culture. He is educated both in the East (Nanjing) and the West (Duke). Gu Su authored the highly influential “Essential Ideas of Liberalism,” advocating for the advantages of liberal policies within the Chinese political system. This work has been published in both Taiwan and mainland China. In 2010, Gu Su collaborated with fellow Chinese philosopher Yu Keping on the anthology titled “Democratization: The Chinese Model and Course of Political Development.” Gu Su serves as a member of the editorial board of the journal NanoEthics and currently holds the position of Senior Fellow at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Social Sciences at Fudan University.
FAQ
Who are some influential contemporary philosophers and their contributions?
- Martha Nussbaum: Advocate of women’s rights and prolific in ethics and political science.
- Cornel West: Pioneer of “neopragmatism” focusing on race and class in America.
- Slavoj Žižek: Known for anti-capitalist criticism and unique approach to psychoanalytic philosophy.
- Gayatri Spivak: Influential in post-colonial theory and the concept of the subaltern.
What are some notable works and contributions of Judith Butler?
- Developed a theory on the social construction of gender.
- Influenced by philosopher Michel Foucault in her arguments.
- A vocal advocate for LGBTQ issues and critic of Israeli politics.