Critique of Latin American Reason

Critique of Latin American Reason is a philosophical text that offers a sweeping critique of the foundational schools of thought in Latin American philosophy and critical theory. It argues that "Latin America" is not a geographical entity, culture, or place, but an object of knowledge produced by a family of discourses in the humanities that are inseparably linked to colonial power relationships. The book examines the views of a wide range of Latin American thinkers on modernity, postmodernity, identity, colonial history, and literature, and how these questions have intersected with popular culture. It is a groundbreaking work of contemporary critical theory in English translation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Critique of Latin American Reason is a groundbreaking philosophical text that emerged from South America in the past few decades. Originally published in 1996, this profound work offers a comprehensive critique of the foundational schools of thought in Latin American philosophy and critical theory. In his book, Santiago Castro-Gómez challenges the notion of "Latin America" as a mere geographical entity, culture, or place, instead presenting it as an object of knowledge created by a family of discourses in the humanities that are intricately linked to colonial power relationships. Drawing upon the archaeological and genealogical methods of Michel Foucault, Castro-Gómez delves into the political, literary, and philosophical discourses that have shaped the formation of "Latin America." He examines the perspectives of a diverse range of Latin American thinkers, exploring their views on modernity, postmodernity, identity, colonial history, and literature, while also considering how these issues intersect with popular culture. Castro-Gómez's critique extends across Central and South America, and it also implicates broader and protracted global processes.

This book presents Santiago Castro-Gómez's groundbreaking work in English translation for the first time. It includes a foreword by Linda Martín Alcoff, a new preface by the author, and an introduction by Eduardo Mendieta that situates Castro-Gómez's thought within the context of critical theory in Latin America and the Global South. Additionally, two appendixes feature an interview with Castro-Gómez that provides insights into the book's composition and short provocations from a multidisciplinary forum of contemporary scholars who reinterpret the work from various perspectives, including feminist, Francophone African, and decolonial Black political thought.

Critique of Latin American Reason is a seminal text that demands attention from scholars and thinkers across the world. It offers a profound analysis of the complex and multifaceted nature of Latin American identity and culture, challenging traditional notions and providing new insights into the ongoing struggles for social justice and equality in the region. Through its interdisciplinary approach, this book contributes to the ongoing dialogue about the global South and its role in shaping contemporary philosophical and political discourse.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231200066