My
interest in philosophy springs from several sources--political and
social theory, art and culture, and the nuances of everyday life.
Such
concerns are by no means alien to the subject matter of philosophy;
theyare integral to its very essence. This is because philosophy
is about reawakening our sense of wonder about the world, allowing
us to encounter with fresh eyes and in new ways the plenitude of
our existence and to grasp the intangibility of its meaning. Once
I discovered that this is the proper subject matter of any true
philosophy, it became clear to me that philosophy is no mere temporary
vocation or occupation, but an indispensable dimension of human
existence.
My current
work in philosophy springs from engagement in social and political
theory as well as with their sources in classical dialectic
philosophy. After initially obtaining a degree in Latin American
Studies,my interests expanded into nineteenth century German Idealism
(especially Kant and Hegel), Marx, Phenomenology, and contemporary
Critical Theory. I am especially interested in the intersections
between gender, race, and social justice, as reflected in a book
I have published on Rosa Luxemburg as well as an earlier one consisting
of collected writings by RayaDunayevskaya, a prominent American
feminist philosopher.
At Oakton
I have taught Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, and Western Culture
and the Arts. My experience here has only further confirmed for
me the indispensability of philosophy as well as of my favorite
maxim (by the German philosopher Ernst Bloch): "Humanity is
a beginner whose genesis has not yet begun."
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