In this three-day workshop, we will engage in study of the philosophy of race in three parts. We will begin with the metaphysics of “race”: for example, ought race be understood as an bio-behavioral essence, a social construct, or something in-between? To what extent does it make sense to think of “race” as a group category? Next, we will proceed to competing conceptions of racism. Is it most accurate to regard racism as mistaken doxastic belief, a system of willful ignorance, or a set of hostile or subordinating attitudes? Finally, we will focus on the literature on racial discrimination: what, exactly, makes racial discrimination wrong, and in which contexts? Does the arbitrariness of racial discrimination drive our intuitions, or should we be more concerned about the demeaning beliefs that are expressed, or ill-consequences exacted by it? What forms have racial discrimination over the years taken? Are the descendants of those wrongfully discriminated against owed reparations? Readings will include theorists like W. E. B. Du Bois, Naomi Zack, Sally Haslanger, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Charles Mills, Deborah Hellman, and Jorge Garcia.

Teachers: Main: Désirée Lim (Penn State, CEPDSIC Affiliate) & Marion Godman (CEPDISC, Aarhus University)