The Perversity of Gratitude: An Apartheid Education

Grant Farred's upbringing in South Africa under apartheid provided the optimal conditions for him to think critically. He describes the apartheid regime as an intellectual force that made thinking apartheid an absolute necessity. Farred's book, "The Perversity of Gratitude," reflects on his education and the impact of four exceptional teachers who cultivated a sense of possibility in how thinking could be learned through a disenfranchised South African education. The book tackles broad philosophical concepts such as transgression, withdrawal, and the dialectic, leading to the creation of "the diaspora-in-place," a new concept that describes the experience of having left a place before physically removing oneself from it. Farred's autopoiesis is a provocative and inspiring perspective on learning and thinking.

Format: Hardback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2024
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

Farred's experience under apartheid in South Africa paradoxically provided him with the ideal environment for intellectual growth. He describes the country's apartheid regime as an intellectual force that made thinking about apartheid an absolute necessity. Despite his ongoing resistance to apartheid, he acknowledges that it is a part of him.

In his book, The Perversity of Gratitude, Farred delves into his upbringing and the challenges he faced in a society deeply divided by apartheid. While he remains committed to fighting against apartheid in a visceral way, he also recognizes the impact that his education had on shaping his thinking. Farred credits four exceptional teachers who played a crucial role in his intellectual development. These teachers were not only engaging and effective educators but also instilled in Farred a sense of possibility and hope for learning despite the oppressive conditions of apartheid.

Farred's critique of his education is unsentimental but also acknowledges the profound influence of influential philosophers such as Martin Heidegger and Jacques Derrida. The book explores broad philosophical concepts such as transgression, withdrawal, and the dialectic, which ultimately lead to the creation of a new concept, "the diaspora-in-place." Farred explains that this concept refers to individuals who have left a place before physically removing themselves from it.

Farred's apartheid education in South Africa left a lasting impact on him, shaping his lifelong commitment to learning and thinking. He expresses gratitude for the opportunities that his education provided him and believes that his autopoiesis, or self-creation, will provoke and inspire readers.

The Perversity of Gratitude is a thought-provoking and introspective book that offers a unique perspective on the complexities of apartheid and the power of education to shape individuals and society. Farred's journey and his intellectual growth are compelling, and his book provides valuable insights into the human experience and the potential for transformation.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 210 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439924969