Philosophical Collaborations with Activists

Philosophers have long endeavored to support politically relevant efforts, including institutional and legal reforms, insurrectionist uprisings, anticolonial independence struggles, cultural movements, and anti-violence work. While some debates have emerged regarding normative questions of whether or how philosophers should be activists, this chapter focuses more directly on the manner in which philosophical authors have supported, engaged in, or examined forms of political participation that seek to end forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, colonialism, and systemic poverty. It distinguishes between philosophers who are writing about or in support of forms of political activism and social movements. The chapter explores specific activists and movements that have become relevant within academic philosophy. It examines philosophers who have engaged in direct political action while working within academic philosophy.