Black History is World History: G.W.F. Hegel, C.L.R. James and the Black Enlightenment
26 October 2023, 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
![Photo of Dr Daniel James](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of-advanced-studies/sites/institute_of_advanced_studies/files/styles/large_image/public/events/danieljames.jpg?itok=FQT0s3KC)
In celebration of Black History Month, we are very pleased to host Dr Daniel James (TU Dresden). His talk explores James's Hegel-inspired portrayal of the Haitian Revolution, positioning it as a world-historical event that extends the Enlightenment's freedom ideal beyond Europe.
This event is free.
Event Information
Open to
- All | UCL staff | UCL students
Availability
- Yes
Cost
- Free
Organiser
-
Simona Aimar, Vice-Dean EDI (Arts & Humanities)
Location
-
IAS Common GroundG11, ground floor, South WingUCL, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BTUnited Kingdom
In the face of Hegel's assertion that Africa had no historical significance, numerous black intellectuals have reappropriated his philosophy to challenge and reshape his ideas. Historian and Marxist theorist C. L. R. James explored the Haitian Revolution in "The Black Jacobins" in 1971, and later in "Notes on Dialectics." This talk explores James's Hegel-inspired portrayal of the Haitian Revolution, positioning it as a world-historical event that extends the Enlightenment's freedom ideal beyond Europe. In doing so, James subverts Hegel by positioning the struggles and triumphs of African descendants at the forefront of global development, rewriting the narrative of freedom's evolution by placing black quests for universal liberty at its core. Black history is, undeniably, world history.
The event is organized by the A&H EDI, the Sarah Parker Remond Centre, the Royal Institute of Philosophy and UCL Philosophy (a local partner of the Royal Institute of Philosophy). For any questions, please contact s.aimar@ucl.ac.uk
About the Speaker
Dr Daniel James
at Technische Universität Dresden
Dr Daniel James (Technische Universität Dresden) focuses on classical German philosophy (especially Hegel) and social philosophy (especially the philosophy of race). He is also interested in Africana and feminist philosophy, Marx and Marxism. His forthcoming monograph Hegel and Colonialism (co-authored with Franz Knappik) investigates racism and colonialism in Hegel’s philosophy.
More about Dr Daniel James