Paul C. Taylor teaches philosophy and African American studies at Pennsylvania State University, USA.
On Obama examines some of the key philosophical questions that accompany the historic emergence of the 44th US president. The purpose of this book is to take seriously the once common thought that the Obama presidency had ushered in a post-historical age. Three questions organize the argument of the book: What´s living and dead in the idea of post-racialism? Did Mr. Obama´s preference for problem-solving over ideological warfare mark him not just as a post-partisan figure but as a philosophical pragmatist? Did the US become post-imperial when the descendants of slaves and of British imperial subjects inhabited the White House? In addition to taking up these questions, the book considers Mr. Obama´s own relationship to the post-historical idea and explores the ethical implications of certain ways of entertaining that idea.
Introduction: The Post-Historical Presidency 1. On Post-Racialism: The President as Racial Project 2. On Post-Partisanship: The President as Pragmatist 3. On Post-Imperialism: The World´s Moses, America´s Zipporah 4. Conclusion: The End of the End
"In this work of nuanced complexity, Taylor reminds us that at its best philosophy is a supreme form of cultural criticism aimed at both slowing and making visible the currents of thought defining the eras in which we live. With that in mind, he turns his attention and ours to President Obama as the embodied nexus of both racism and racialism and our desire to move beyond both. This is not fast food, but a slow cooked meal with ideas that are fresh, deliciously rewarding and satisfying."
Noliwe M. Rooks, Cornell University, USA
"With dusk having descended on the `Age of Obama,´ the owl of Minerva brilliantly takes flight in Paul Taylor´s scrupulous, deep thinking, and richly insightful essay on a presidency widely believed to be `post-historical.´ On Obama is publically engaged philosophy at its best: analytically astute and gracefully written, it invites us to take seriously the intellectual impulses behind the idea that the Obama presidency has been a genuine harbinger of `change.´"
Robert Gooding-Williams, Columbia University, USA
"The Obama presidency calls out for serious philosophical reflection. With intelligence and eloquence, wit and wisdom, Paul Taylor has answered. In this thoughtful, wide-ranging, and accessible meditation on the historical and normative significance of Obama, he pushes us to think more honestly about race, pragmatism, and empire at this unexpected moment when the most powerful political leader in the world is black."
Tommie Shelby, Harvard University, USA
This short volume is heavily focused on racial and postcolonial theory not readily understood by general readers or most undergraduate students. It will mainly appeal to fellow academics who share Taylor’s philosophical and theoretical orientation.
S. E. Schier, Carleton College, October 2016 issue of CHOICE
On Obama examines some of the key philosophical questions that accompany the historic emergence of the 44th US president. The purpose of this book is to take seriously the once common thought that the Obama presidency had ushered in a post-historical age. Three questions organize the argument of the book: What's living and dead in the idea of post-racialism? Did Mr. Obama's preference for problem-solving over ideological warfare mark him not just as a post-partisan figure but as a philosophical pragmatist? Did the US become post-imperial when the descendants of slaves and of British imperial subjects inhabited the White House? In addition to taking up these questions, the book considers Mr. Obama's own relationship to the post-historical idea and explores the ethical implications of certain ways of entertaining that idea.
On Obama examines some of the key philosophical questions that accompany the historic emergence of the 44th US president. The purpose of this book is to take seriously the once common thought that the Obama presidency had ushered in a post-historical age. Three questions organize the argument of the book: What's living and dead in the idea of post-racialism? Did Mr. Obama's preference for problem-solving over ideological warfare mark him not just as a post-partisan figure but as a philosophical pragmatist? Did the US become post-imperial when the descendants of slaves and of British imperial subjects inhabited the White House? In addition to taking up these questions, the book considers Mr. Obama's own relationship to the post-historical idea and explores the ethical implications of certain ways of entertaining that idea.
Introduction: The Post-Historical Presidency
1. On Post-Racialism: The President as Racial Project
2. On Post-Partisanship: The President as Pragmatist
3. On Post-Imperialism: The World's Moses, America's Zipporah
4. Conclusion: The End of the End
"In this work of nuanced complexity, Taylor reminds us that at its best philosophy is a supreme form of cultural criticism aimed at both slowing and making visible the currents of thought defining the eras in which we live. With that in mind, he turns his attention and ours to President Obama as the embodied nexus of both racism and racialism and our desire to move beyond both. This is not fast food, but a slow cooked meal with ideas that are fresh, deliciously rewarding and satisfying."
Noliwe M. Rooks, Cornell University, USA
"With dusk having descended on the 'Age of Obama,' the owl of Minerva brilliantly takes flight in Paul Taylor's scrupulous, deep thinking, and richly insightful essay on a presidency widely believed to be 'post-historical.' On Obama is publically engaged philosophy at its best: analytically astute and gracefully written, it invites us to take seriously the intellectual impulses behind the idea that the Obama presidency has been a genuine harbinger of 'change.'"
Robert Gooding-Williams, Columbia University, USA
"The Obama presidency calls out for serious philosophical reflection. With intelligence and eloquence, wit and wisdom, Paul Taylor has answered. In this thoughtful, wide-ranging, and accessible meditation on the historical and normative significance of Obama, he pushes us to think more honestly about race, pragmatism, and empire at this unexpected moment when the most powerful political leader in the world is black."
Tommie Shelby, Harvard University, USA
